Bath Rail Services Resume After Major Upgrade Work Completed

Rail services across Bath and Wiltshire have returned to normal following the completion of two weekends of engineering work, with trains now running as scheduled through the area.

The line between Bath Spa railway station and Chippenham railway station reopened as planned on Tuesday 5 May, after essential upgrades including track renewal, drainage improvements and general maintenance.

During the closure, engineers replaced around 1.5 kilometres of track, installing 1,200 sleepers and laying approximately 3,200 tonnes of ballast to strengthen the route for future operations.

While the railway was closed, teams also began preparatory work for the restoration of two significant heritage structures along the route. Scaffolding has been installed at locations between Bath Spa and Chippenham as work gets underway on the Grade II listed Sydney Gardens footbridge and the eastern entrance to Box Tunnel.

The Sydney Gardens footbridge, a rare surviving cast-iron structure designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, will undergo extensive refurbishment over the coming months, including repairs to steel and masonry, a full repaint and replacement of its wooden deck. The structure will be fully enclosed during the works to protect the surrounding parkland.

Further east near Corsham, engineers will also carry out repairs and surveys on the eastern portal of Box Tunnel, one of the most notable early railway tunnels in Britain and another key part of Brunel’s legacy.

Dan Parkes, principal portfolio manager for Network Rail, said:

“I'd like to thank passengers for their patience over the past two weekends as we completed essential upgrade and maintenance work in the Bath area, including the replacement of 1.5km of track and installation of 1,200 sleepers and 3,200 tonnes of ballast (track stone). This vital work will enable continued safe and reliable train journeys for years to come.”

Image: Network Rail