Network Rail has been granted listed building consent to carry out urgent repair work to an historic bridge near Bath Spa Station.
Skew Bridge next to Bath Spa Railway Station | Image © Google Street View / Google 2025
Inspections had revealed fractures in the cast iron columns of Skew Bridge over the River Avon.
The Grade II-listed bridge is part of St James Viaduct and carries the main train line linking Bristol and London.
It was built in 1840 to the designs of Isambard Kingdom Brunel for the Great Western Railway, then substantially rebuilt in the 1870s by Wakefield Simpson and strengthened in the 1960s by British Rail.
Network Rail said: “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.”
In assessing the request for listed building consent, Bath & North East Somerset Council planners said: “The proposals to repair the bridge and ensure ongoing use of the main line railway is supported.
“Works were considered to be urgent and therefore commenced on site prior to the determination of the application.
“The works are an acceptable alteration to the listed building that would preserve its significance as a designated heritage asset.”
The council had received comments raising concerns that scaffolding in or near the water level would have the potential to impact on river flow and could cause flooding to properties upstream.
However, the council report noted that Network Rail had confirmed, and it was seen on site, that the river was not impacted by the work.
