NETWORK Rail has finished safety work to the iconic low balustrade wall at Sydney Gardens in Bath, along with the installation of railings to prevent trespassers from being able to gain access to the track.
Designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the low profile of the wall has, over time, become a greater safety concern – and the need to protect the railway from trespassers while balancing the history and character of the structure was the challenge faced by Network Rail.
The wall and other structures over the railway are Grade II* listed and the work required Listed Building Consent and the close cooperation of Bath and North East Somerset Council’s conservation officers to ensure the architecture and surrounding area were treated sympathetically and with respect, owing to the area’s designation as a site of important historical interest.
Historic England was involved with the design and oversight, working to confirm the safety measures would preserve the character and appearance of the wall while maintaining the safety of the railway.
Network Rail also carried out emergency repair work on Brunel’s only remaining cast iron footbridge.
