PEOPLE worried about the effect of works at a bridge on a ‘danger road’ in Chipping Sodbury had a chance to question Network Rail bosses in the town.

The operator, which is preparing to build new mesh-topped panels on the parapets which atop Dodington Road bridge and fit anti-climb bricks to ready the bridge for the electrification of the line, was in Chipping Sodbury Town Hall on Tuesday (March 15) to share details of its planned works and respond to concerns that the new higher bridge will diminish visibility for drivers on the narrowest section of the road.

Consents manager Mike Blissett said: “We will be raising the overall height of the parapets to 1.85metres. We can’t have anyone coming into contact with 25,000valts and this will stop anyone dangling anything through.

“The raised sections will not cover the entire bridge. On some other bridges we have raised the height all the way across but on this one we are only doing the section we have to because of the road.”

But Old Sodbury parish councillor Phil Rumney, who uses the Chipping Sodbury School road regularly, said: “It will be safe from pedestrians chucking stuff on the railway line but it certainly won’t be safer driving along it.

“This road is very dangerous but these works are part of national guidelines. As a parish council we have to try and do all we can to help people stand up against massive organisations.

“There is a thin line between what is safe and what is practical.”

Cllr Claire Young (Lib Dem, Westerleigh) who has been campaigning for safety improvements to Dodington Road after numerous accidents, said: “We are still very concerned about the impact on visibility but Network Rail says it has to comply with national regulations and try to stop people electrocuting themselves, which obviously we don’t want.”

She said a weight limit on the road, which South Gloucestershire Council’s Frome Vale area forum agreed to investigate last week, was now a priority.

“The road is very narrow and there are 1,000 children at Chipping Sodbury School using it to get to their school playing fields and they are at risk,” said Cllr Young. “All vehicles will still be a danger but if we can reduce the number of lorries using the road that risk will be reduced.”

The road will be closed for two weeks, from May 23 until June 5, as well as on Saturday nights during June while works to the bridge are carried out. A revised diversion route will take drivers to Yate, back up Kennedy Way, through Old Sodbury to the A46 and back via Wapley Road and Sodbury Lane.

Anyone with any issues while the work is carried out can call a 24-hour helpline on 03457 114141.