A narrow footpath, suitable for pedestrians and dismounted cyclists only, has been reopened under the railway bridge on Gipsy Patch Lane.
The news comes a week after Network Rail announced that it had decided to postpone plans to replace the bridge during a nine-day closure of the railway over Easter, as a consequence of the coronavirus crisis.
Gipsy Patch Lane was closed to all road users at the railway bridge for an estimated eight-month period starting on 5th March 2020, although it had been anticipated that a route under the bridge would be restored for pedestrians and cyclists by early June 2020.
The newly reopened footpath is narrow and pedestrians are advised to take extra care should they need to use it.
The free shuttle bus service that had been operating for pedestrians has now stopped.
Gipsy Patch Lane and the junction with Station Road will remain closed to motor vehicles. According to South Gloucestershire Council, it is not possible to reopen the road fully to all road users because of the extent of work that has already been completed in preparation of the bridge replacement. The road closure also needs to remain in place whilst Network Rail and Alun Griffiths (Contractors) Ltd continue with preparatory and highways work.
Network Rail and its contractors will remain on site at Gipsy Patch Lane completing work that they are able to do whilst complying with government guidelines relating to social distancing.
Photo: View of the east side of the existing railway bridge a few days after the start of the road closure in March 2020.
More information and related links:
- Cribbs Patchway MetroBus Extension (SGC)
- MetroBus Extension Build (SGJ)
- Photo album: Gipsy Patch Lane Railway Bridge Replacement (SGJ)
UPDATE (20th May 2020): Pedestrian & cyclist access under the railway bridge on Gipsy Patch Lane has been temporarily suspended during daytime working hours (8am to 4pm) for approximately the next two weeks (so most likely until week commencing 1st June 2020). The shuttle bus service has consequently been reintroduced during these hours.
