Wapley footbridge in South Gloucestershire reopened to the public today after work to prepare it for the electrification of the railway was completed.
This stunning time-lapse photography shows the scale of the project and level of work involved:
The reconstruction of this bridge is an essential part of Network Rail’s electrification programme to enable a new fleet of longer, unhealthy 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: “Significant work was required to prepare this bridge for the electrification of the railway and I would like to thank the local community for their patience while it was taking place.
“Now this work is complete, residents are a step closer to the benefits that electrification and the new electric trains will bring.”