Urgent repair work has been taking place on a landmark railway bridge in the city centre.
Skew Bridge next to Bath Spa Railway Station | Image © Google Street View / Google 2025
Skew Bridge over the River Avon is part of St James Viaduct, near Bath Spa Station.
Network Rail says inspections revealed fractures in the cast iron columns of Skew Bridge and repairs had to begin prior to its formal application to Bath & North East Somerset Council for listed building consent “because these emergency works are essential for the continued safe operation of the railway”.
In an assessment of the significance of the bridge, Network Rail says: “Though little remains of Brunel’s remarkable original structure and some of what stands now from 1876-8 is unexceptional, this bridge remains an exciting structure of enormous group value with the other railway structures either side of Bath Spa Station and as part of the wider railway.
“It makes a significant contribution to the townscape and forms an integral part of Brunel’s treatment of the GWML (Great Western Main Line) within Bath.”
Network Rail says the selected engineering solutions are designed to ensure “careful and sympathetic” repair and maintenance of the Grade II listed bridge.
The planning reference is 25/00369/LBA and the deadline for any comments is 11th May.
