Bath track lowering enters final week.

Richard Wyatt
Brunel's iron bridge across the main line in Sydney Gardens is now out of bounds.
Brunel’s iron bridge across the main line in Sydney Gardens is now out of bounds. Click on images to enlarge.

Network Rail gave themselves around six weeks to lower the rail track around Bath – ready for the electrification programme between London and Bristol and into Wales.

Now they are entering their final week – it seems they are bang on target.

In a press release – issued on Friday – they said:

“With one week to go on our project to prepare the Bath railway line for electrification, all sites are progressing well as we come to the end of the fifth week.

Work at Box Tunnel. Photo © Network Rail
Work at Box Tunnel. Photo © Network Rail Click on images to enlarge.

We’ve completed the lowering and installation of the new track inside Box Tunnel on the up main line and we’re on track to finish tamping and stressing work this weekend.
We will start lowering the track on the up main line from Box Tunnel to west of Middle Hill Tunnel as well this weekend.

This work is due to finish at the end of next week.
Work at Bathampton Junction is progressing well and we’re on schedule to finish welding and stressing next Wednesday.”

A barrier fence has gone up beside the line through Sydney Gardens
A barrier fence has gone up beside the line through Sydney Gardens
Looking over the barrier onto the line on Sunday, August 23rd.
Looking over the barrier onto the line through Sydney Gardens on Sunday, August 23rd.

Meanwhile work has got underway in Sydney Gardens – where the line passes through an historic and heritage-sensitive area. A spokesperson said:
“The final stage of work (has started) in Sydney Gardens. For the next three days we will be working from 7.00am to 7.00 pm on the drainage.

Looking down through Sydney Gardens at the fencing around the stone rail bridge.
Looking down through Sydney Gardens at the fencing around the stone rail bridge. Click on images to enlarge.

On Monday morning we will be starting the track lower.

The line through Sydney Gardens is now fenced off though in Sunday's rain when l called workmen were sheltering from the downpour.
The line through Sydney Gardens is now fenced off though in Sunday’s rain when l called workmen were sheltering from the downpour.

Please remember we will be working around the clock until Saturday, 29 August.
We will be holding a drop in session in Sydney Gardens next Tuesday, 25 August from 1.30 pm to 4.00 pm.

Look for the orange tent (pictured below) between the railway and the Holburne Museum. Our team will be happy to answer any of your questions.”

Published by Richard Wyatt

Freelance Journalist, broadcaster, columnist and local historian. Director of Bath Newseum. Married and lives in Bath. Interested in local history, architecture and visual display in museums and urban spaces.