Network Rail engineers have begun the infrastructural upgrade of the 170-year-old bridge over the river Wye, seeing the delivery of major refurbishment works coming as part of a wider package of works to futureproof the Severn Estuary line.
This £4.6m refurbishment project is vital for the structural integrity of the Grade II listed bridge, ensuring it can continue to carry passenger and freight trains over the river Wye between South Wales and the West Country, Midlands and north of England. Accompanying these bridge works, intensive resilience upgrades also taking place towards Lydney as part of the Severn Estuary Resilience Programme.
The engineering team will conduct requisite steelwork repairs, waterproofing, masonry repairs and re-construction of the abutments on Chepstow Viaduct.
Designed by Brunel and opened in 1852, the historic viaduct has seen many changes over its lifespan, however the original tubular supports are still firmly in-place. Considered to be one of Brunel’s major achievements, it is vital for the heritage of British rail to ensure the structure is maintained and strengthened to support the community for generations to come.
Lee Ackerman, scheme project manager at Network Rail, said:
“It’s a privilege to be upgrading a historic piece of railway engineering. This bridge has played an important role in linking Wales and England for more than 150-years, and we plan on ensuring that it can continue to do that for many more to come.
“As always, we are aiming to complete this project as safely and as quickly as possible while keeping disruption to an absolute minimum.”
To ensure the Chepstow Viaduct works cause as little disruption as possible, the majority of project will be undertaken between 07:30 to 17:30, reducing the necessary noise disturbance for the local community. Though every step is being taken to remove unnecessary disruptions, partial elements of the works will require engineers to work through the night, on the listed dates below:
- Wednesday 5 – Tuesday 11 April (inclusive)
- Friday 19 – Friday 26 May (inclusive)
- Friday 30 June – Thursday 27 July (inclusive)
- Wednesday 2 – Wednesday 30 August (inclusive)
- Tuesday 5 September – Monday 2 October (inclusive)
- Friday 6 October – Thursday 2 November (inclusive)
- Wednesday 8 November – Tuesday 5 December (inclusive)
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