Avon Valley Railway upgrades its infrastructure

THE Avon Valley Railway has been making the most of the enforced shutdown period arising from the third England-wide Covid-19 lockdown by carrying out a permanent way upgrade at its Bitton headquarters.

The old point at the southern end of the station was removed on February 14. The level crossing immediately south of Bitton station has been renewed, including the track within it. The previous asphalt surface has been replaced with a modern, more easily maintained alternative.

Due to the need to close the Bristol to Bath cycle route to upgrade the crossing, after liaising with both South Gloucestershire Council and Sustrans, it was necessary to undertake some works during two night shifts in late March and early April.

All track material was removed from the bridge over the A431 Bath Road ready for its inspection. Track along the whole of the curve to the south of Bitton station has also been renewed, the previous former industrial sleepers and lightweight track having been replaced with better materials.

The work forms part of a wider project to improve the track design and signalling system through the station to make it safer for visitors, volunteers and users of the path.

The next step of the project will be to install signalling, which will help reduce the amount of times trains stop on the approach to Bitton station when returning from the River Avon. The works are expected to be completed by April 16.