TRAIN passengers are facing further disruption to their travel, as the installation of a new railway bridge in Bristol has been delayed after works lorries got stuck in the mud.

The bridge, which is located at Gipsy Patch Lane, had been due to be replaced earlier this year, but construction was paused due to the Covid pandemic.

The construction team had been preparing to put the 4,260-tonne structure, which has been constructed at a nearby business park, in place over the weekend, but the BBC has reported that specialist lorries carrying the new bridge got stuck in mud after a roadway collapsed.

To allow for the works, the railway line is currently closed and there has been disruption to rail services between Bristol and Wales as a result.

Network Rail had said prior to the weekend it was due to reopen next Saturday, but the disruption is now expected to continue for longer than originally anticipated.

The bridge is being replaced as part of the expansion of Bristol's Metrobus network into South Gloucestershire.

A South Gloucestershire Council spokesman said: "Despite detailed planning and preparation, our contractor, Network Rail, has encountered a significant issue moving the new 4,260-tonne Gipsy Patch Lane bridge into place.

"The bridge, which is already built, is being moved into position on a number of independent hydraulic transporters.

"Having successfully moved two thirds of the way into place the bridge transporters are now stuck.

"Our focus, alongside Network Rail, is on resolving the issue so that the bridge can be moved into position. This is likely to take a number of days and will delay the reopening of the mainline."

Bus replacement services are currently operating between Bristol Parkway and Newport.