Network rail are inviting your opinions on the difficult balance between safety and history.
Brunel’s railway line through Sydney Gardens is one of the least protected in the UK and the Railways Inspector is now insisting that Network Rail take action against trespass. Network Rail managers have commited funding to a solution, but as many residents will know, previous plans have stopped in their tracks (run out of steam/gone off the rails/been sidelined/hit the buffers…).
Network Rail will be exhibiting three posible solutions in Bath Library next week. I met with a representative this morning to discuss the plans; as they will not be available on-line, here is a summary:
1 – a fence to be fixed on top of the existing stone wall – this may look suitable, but may not be practical
2 – a fence placed in front of the stone wall – this is less attractive but more effective
3 – a ditch, with a fence in the centre, disguised with a hedge, in front of the wall – a slightly better option than it sounds, introduces a wide and deep hedge between the public and the trains.
All of the options will be on public display on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (17th-19th Feb) between 10am and 6pm. Network Rail staff will be available in the library to explain the options. Plans can be sent out to those unavailable to see them during working hours.
I am glad of the opportunity for the public to examine the plans before they are implemented; Network Rail have had a poor reputation with consultation, so please do take this chance to get involved. Any solution will be controversial given the nature and protections of the park. I am also trying to make sure that this work ties in fully with plans to renovate Sydney Gardens to get the best value for money and best solution.
While there is clearly a safety issue there, I think that the unique character of that stretch of line must be taken into account especially as the spot are extremeky popular with anyone watching trains. Has either the closure of the park at night or the use of CCTV cameras been considered?
I would be tempted to say that the ditch with edge option looks like the best compromise between safety and aestetics.
One consideration is that putting a fence on or near the existing stone wall may actually result in increased danger. Why? Because although fewer people would end up on the track due to the fence, a small number would still persist and would be in far greater danger as a quick retreat to safety would be FAR more difficult.
A fourth option has also been raised which seems to be worth investigating: simply to dig out some of the earth on the gardens side, making the wall actually much higher without interferring with it. There is a reasonable chance that there is at least another foot of hidden wall (the track is lower than the garden side). Worth a quick dig to see?
It would be nice if, whatever solution is chosen, it remained possible to watch the trains and take photgraphs from the Gardens. A few 6 inch square holes?
It is a great shame that both still and video railway photographers face the loss of this classic location. Most of the railway magazines have printed several photographs taken from Sydney Gardens during the last year. A quick trawl of Youtube will show that it is a popular site for video clips of passing steam specials.
I don’t know how many ‘incidents’ have been logged over the years by Network Rail, but do they have evidence which indicates that the problems which justify their proposal have suddenly worsened. It also seems odd that in the year of the 175 th anniversary of the GWR, that Network Rail are being allowed to indulge in corporate vandalism. Brunel designed the cutting so that his company’s trains could be observed, not obscured by fencing.
I hope that you will voice objections on behalf of those who travel to Bath to video or photograph steam specials at this great location.
How about spending some of the money on a lick of paint for the bridges,cleaning the stone walls and removing the bushes that are growing out of the retaining walls causing untold long term damage.Sadly this applies to most of the network…. Brunel must be turning in his grave !