Sydney Gardens in Bath has undergone essential safety improvement work by Network Rail and has also seen railings installed in order to stop trespassers accessing the track. 

Designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel in the 1840s, the iconic low balustrade wall is part of the railway and cuts through Sydney Garden and runs along the western side of the railway approaching Bath Spa station. The wall is part of a number of structures covered by Grade II listing and has seen Network Rail undertake essential safety work which maintains both the history and character of the wall whilst protecting the railway from trespassers.

Before work could be undertaken, the plans needed to receive Listed Building Consent. The project has seen Network Rail work very closely with Bath and North East Somerset Council conversation officers in order to achieve a treatment which is sympathetic to the local areas whilst respecting the area’s status as a site of important historical interest. Historic England has also taken part in the design and in a supervisory capacity in order to certify that the safety measures would maintain the character and appearance of the balustrade wall whilst meeting the safety needs of the railway.

Network Rail was also involved in emergency repair work on Brunel’s only remaining cast iron footbridge whilst working in Sydney Gardens. This repair was due to vegetation affecting the masonry which was removed by a specialist stonemason who was contracted to carry out the work using Bath stone. The repair work was painstakingly carried out using hand tools ahead of being put back in place. 

Colin Field, Network Rail’s town planning and heritage manager said: “We’re pleased that we’ve been able to design and complete a solution that enhances the safety of the railway line and protects visitors to the Gardens while maintaining the historic architecture of Brunel’s balustrade wall.

“We’ve worked in close partnership with the council’s conservation officers and Historic England to realise this work, which included vegetation removal to improve the views across the park and keep passing trains safe from leaves and branches. Brunel intended for the railway to become a feature within the Gardens in its own right, and we’ve worked to respect that aspiration and stay true to his vision.

“Visitors will be able to safely enjoy the sight of trains travelling through the historic Gardens while the railway is protected from any trespassers, which is a win for everybody.”

Keith Rowe, Bath and North East Somerset Council’s Sydney Gardens project manager said: “The completion of the work to the railings through Sydney Gardens is extremely timely and has dovetailed nicely with the wider restoration of the park.

“The National Lottery Heritage Fund, in partnership with Bath & North East Somerset Council have contributed over £3m to conserve and rejuvenate the former 18th-century pleasure gardens. It is great to bring visitors back to the railway line and see the trains very close up. We are also very grateful to Network Rail for funding the new railway path as part of their work to reinstate the ground at the end of their works. It is all looking excellent and demonstrates the value of good partnership working.”

Simon Hickman, development advice team leader at Historic England said: “Brunel designed the Great Western Railway as it bisects Sydney Gardens as a place where the public could appreciate and enjoy the passage of his trains. We’re delighted to have worked with Network Rail designing a safe, but sympathetic, means of allowing Brunel’s vision to continue.”

To find out more about events happening this autumn at Sydney Gardens, please visit: Bath and North East Somerset Council’s dedicated webpage.