Brunel’s cast iron footbridge over the main line to London – cutting through Bath’s Sydney Gardens – is now open again. There’s also news on whether or not the historic structure will be restored.
Network Rail had recently closed the 1865 structure for major repairs to the planking.
All the old ones have been removed and replaced.
The bridge – the last footbridge on the line designed by IK Brunel – was due to be removed and restored by Network Rail as part of their electrification programme though Bath to Bristol.
The government has since put the brakes on the work because of the burgeoning cost – but Bath Newseum was keen to see if that meant the upgrade had been abandoned
A spokesperson for Network Rail came back with what you could call a positive response:
“It is indeed on the ‘to do’ list as such. Various sections of the timber deck were deemed as poor condition and therefore works had to be planned in for repair sooner rather than later (rather than waiting for electrification works to re-commence)
I believe the cast iron sections will be restored and upgraded further once electrification works re-commence.”
