‘Crucial milestone’ as landmark rail bridge demolished
ARAILWAY bridge that has stood near Bristol since Victorian times has been reduced to rubble.
The bridge over Gipsy Patch Lane in Little Stoke was demolished on Monday night, as a 150-strong construction team works around the clock to install a replacement.
Network Rail is carrying out the works for South Gloucestershire Council, as it builds a new metrobus route between Bristol Parkway and The Mall at Cribbs Causeway.
The project commenced on Saturday and contractors will be on site day and night until Saturday, November 7.
Trains between Bristol Parkway, Patchway and Newport are not running during the works, with passengers having to use replacement coaches instead.
Disruption for motorists will be even more prolonged, with traffic measures in place for two years as they lower the road beneath the new bridge and create a four-lane system.
Speaking in September, the council’s cabinet member for transport Steve Reade said the demolition is a “crucial milestone” for the Cribbs Patchway metrobus extension (CPME).
He said: “The CPME is an important part of our ambitions to keep South Gloucestershire moving now and in years to come.
“We need to get our road network ready for the major new housing and business developments that are planned for the area and make sustainable travel options a more attractive choice.”
A new replacement railway bridge has already been pre-constructed at the Horizon 38 business park on Gipsy Patch Lane, and will be slotted into place.
The 4,500 tonne concrete structure will provide a much wider space for traffic to pass beneath, with two lanes for general traffic as well as bus lanes in either direction, and shared use cycle and pedestrian paths.
Contractors at Alun Griffiths are overseeing the project, which will also involve work at the San Andreas roundabout and on Hatchet Road.
Easter had initially been set aside for the bridge replacement, but the coronavirus pandemic resulted in a delay.
Even though the replacement of the bridge is taking only a matter of days, completion of the entire project is not expected until early 2023.
Contractors will start work next month on lowering the road, and will then move to widening the road at either side of the bridge from next summer.
Anyone with queries about the rail line closure can call the Network Rail 24-hour helpline on 03457 11 41 41.