The proposed Cribbs Patchway MetroBus Extension (CPME) scheme, which will see the old railway bridge on Gipsy Patch Lane replaced with a much wider concrete structure, took a major step forward in July with the approval of three of the four planning applications necessary to allow it to proceed to the next stage in its project plan.

The existing masonry railway bridge has a height clearance of only 4m and creates a ‘pinch point’ on the local road network. The replacement bridge will be of concrete construction and will span 24m, approximately 14m wider than the current bridge. To accommodate taller vehicles, such as double-decker buses, the carriageway will be lowered by around 1.7m under the bridge.

New bus lanes will also be constructed along sections of Gipsy Patch Lane, either side of the bridge.

The work will require one-way and full closures of sections of Gipsy Patch Lane, for a period of 21 months, currently scheduled to commence in July 2019.

The duration of the required full closure is now estimated at 330 days (up from the previously stated eight months), from January to November 2020.

Demolition of the existing bridge and construction of the new bridge is scheduled to take place during a twelve-day closure of the railway, most likely over Easter 2020.

Approval of the most significant of the four applications, the one for the replacement railway bridge, was secured despite planning committee member Cllr Ernie Brown (also chair of Stoke Gifford Parish Council) tabling a proposal that its consideration should be deferred “ in order that clarification and more detail is made available for discussion regarding the lowering of the road and the construction programme, and to allow further consultation to be undertaken with residents, local businesses and traders.”

More: Concerns over "long term implications" for local businesses »

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Residents living near the railway lines that run through the Stokes are being warned to expect an intensification in potentially noisy and disruptive maintenance activity as the project to electrify the Great Western mainline enters a critical phase this autumn.

The railway through Bristol Parkway will be closed between 15th September and 6th October inclusive, and again on the weekend of 13th/14th October. No trains will run via Bristol Parkway during these periods.

A Network Rail spokesperson said:

“This phase of the upgrade includes the installation of the overhead line equipment (OLE) used to hold the wires for electrification, and we will be putting up masts and wires over these three weeks in the Bristol Parkway area, from Winterbourne viaduct, through Bristol Parkway Station, up to Little Stoke, and then along the Filton East Curve.”

During these three weeks, trains will still be running, but they will be using diversionary routes. Rail replacement bus and coach services will be in place for some journeys.

Great Western Railway services between London Paddington and South Wales and Cross Country services between Bristol Temple Meads and Cheltenham will call at Patchway instead of Bristol Parkway.

Replacement bus services will link Bristol Parkway, Patchway, Yate and Filton Abbey Wood.

The three-week closure follows similar upgrade work last year, which included building a fourth platform at Bristol Parkway, extending the existing three platforms, and upgrading the track layout in the Parkway area to improve reliability and increase capacity. These upgrades will enable passengers to experience the benefits of Great Western Railway’s new fleet of electric trains, including more frequent services and reduced journey times.

More: Information for rail passengers and local residents »

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Network Rail is holding a drop-in information event in Stoke Gifford on Thursday 16th August to answer any questions residents may have about the electrification of the line between London Paddington and Bristol Parkway.

The event will take place between 4.30pm and 7.30pm at the St Michael’s Centre, North Road BS34 8PD.

Network Rail representatives will be on hand to explain the plans and answer any questions.

The railway through Bristol Parkway will be closed between Saturday 15th September and Saturday 6th October inclusive, and again on the weekend of 13th/14th October.

A Network Rail spokesperson said:

“The upgrade includes the installation of the overhead line equipment (OLE) used to hold the wires for electrification, and we will be putting up masts and wires over those three weeks in the Bristol Parkway area, from Winterbourne viaduct, through Bristol Parkway Station, up to Little Stoke, and then along the Filton East Curve.”

During these three weeks, trains will still be running, but they will be using diversionary routes. Rail replacement bus and coach services will be in place for some journeys.

More: Teams will be working overnight during the railway closure »

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Many residents of Stoke Gifford have been left feeling tired and angry after “deafening” work which took place on the railway line at Bristol Parkway train station on Saturday 21st July kept them awake during the night.

Residents were frustrated that no prior warning was given that the work was going to take place and due to the warm weather, many people had their windows open during the night and were unhappy to be awoken by the loud bangs coming from Parkway Station.

One resident living in Stoke Gifford complained:

“How are people meant to sleep through this at 3am when it’s 18 degrees at night with no choice but to have the window open? My house is actually shaking.”

Another commented:

 “The problem is they don’t appear to want to inform any of us that it’s going to happen. Very poor comms and PR. They should be letting us know the dates when this is likely to take place, we have a newborn baby and may have considered sleeping at a friend’s or family member’s house last night to avoid the disruption.”

Reader videos of the work taking place and many more comments can be viewed in a post on our Facebook page here.

More: Work set to continue until end of October »

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