A RAILWAY bridge in Stoke Gifford has reopened after work to prepare it for the electrification of the railway was completed on time.

The bridge over the railway at Pearsons Brick Yard reopened on Thursday, April 30, which provides access from Harry Stoke Lane to industrial buildings near Hunts Ground Road, was closed for six months for work to get underway.

The reconstruction of this bridge is an essential part of Network Rail’s electrification programme to enable a new fleet of longer, faster, quieter and greener electric trains to serve commuters in Gloucestershire travelling on the route between Cardiff and London. The rebuilt bridge is higher, creating the additional space needed for the overhead lines which will power the new trains to run underneath.

Andrew Haynes, Network Rail’s project director, said: “I would like to thank the local community for their patience and support while we undertook the significant work needed to prepare this bridge for the electrification of the railway.

“With the work on this bridge and Wapley footbridge now complete, we are two significant steps closer to bringing the benefits of electrification and the new electric trains to Gloucestershire.”