Work will start later this month on two of the South West’s most important railway heritage structures - the Grade II listed Sydney Gardens footbridge and the eastern entrance of iconic Box Tunnel.

Both designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, Network Rail is about to begin major restoration work.

Sydney Gardens footbridge is the last surviving cast iron footbridge of its kind on the Great Western Mainline. Designed by Brunel and set within one of Britain’s oldest Georgian pleasure gardens, the bridge is a rare and revered piece of Victorian engineering history.

Over the next two months, the bridge will undergo grit blasting, steel and masonry repairs, a full repaint, and the complete replacement of its wooden deck. To protect the surrounding parkland, the bridge will be fully wrapped while work takes place.

Further along the line east of Bath near Corsham, engineers will also repair and survey the Grade II listed eastern portal of Box Tunnel, another important piece of Brunel’s legacy and one of Britain’s most significant early railway tunnels.

Scaffolding for both projects will be installed during planned railway closures between Bath Spa and Chippenham on two consecutive weekends in April and May. These closures also support other essential maintenance, including track renewal at Bathford and drainage improvements in Corsham.

A work area will be set up in the existing Bath and North East Somerset Council compound in Sydney Gardens from Monday 13 April. For safety, the area beneath the footbridge, including the footpath, will be closed. Clear pedestrian diversions will be in place, and the second footbridge in the park will remain open throughout.

Dan Parkes, principal portfolio manager for Network Rail, said: “Sydney Gardens footbridge and the Box Tunnel entrance are not just railway structures, they are irreplaceable pieces of Brunel’s legacy. Restoring them is both a responsibility and a privilege.

“By coordinating this work with other planned maintenance, we’re minimising disruption to passengers whilst protecting two of the most historic landmarks on our railway.

“If you’re planning to travel during this time, please make sure to check before you travel, as bus replacement services will be in place on some routes and journeys may take longer than usual.”

Travel information

• Buses will replace trains between Bath Spa and Chippenham or Westbury on 25–26 April and 2–4 May.
• Rail tickets will be accepted on First Bus services between Bath and Trowbridge or Frome.
• Trains between London Paddington and Bath Spa will run via an alternative route between Swindon and Bristol Temple Meads and will not stop at Chippenham.
• Some services will still run between London Paddington and Chippenham (except Sundays).
• GWR will continue to run trains between Cardiff Central and Bath Spa, and between Westbury and Portsmouth Harbour, Frome or Weymouth.
• Additional improvement work means buses will also replace trains between Swindon and Westbury until around midday on 26 April.
• Rail replacement buses will stop in Freshford village and Westwood village, not at the stations.

Passengers are strongly advised to allow extra time and check their journey before travelling at nationalrail.co.uk or GWR.com/Upgrade