Westerleigh Rd - railway latest

Network Rail stripped this bank a year ago - will the other side be like this too?

Major earthworks on the railway embankment near Rodborough and Chedworth, Yate, are to go ahead shortly to repair an unstable embankment. Network Rail propose to bring in about a thousand lorry loads of soil to stabilise the slope. Trains currently have a temporary 20 mph speed limit on this stretch of track.

Trees and vegetation are to be stripped off the whole length of the bank from the Shire Way railway arch to Chedworth, and a temporary road entrance will be established off Westerleigh Road opposite Rodborough.

With all these lorries going in and out, there could be a serious problem of mud on this very busy, fast road. The road needs to be kept clean during the day, as well as when they stop work.

This work is essential – we don’t want a landslip like the recent one near Chipping Sodbury. Nevertheless we are trying to persuade Network Rail to carry out proper replacement planting, like they are doing at Coalpit Heath.

Network Rail has said that they can’t put trees back on the embankment, or even near the stream. We need trees along the fence line to provide a screen for the people living just across the road in Rodborough, and to re-establish this important wildlife corridor.

Network Rail has offered to plant shrubs, and say that they will investigate providing some semi-mature trees on the verge area alongside Westerleigh Rd. Network Rail has assured us that they carry out full environmental surveys, but we are concerned that we have not yet seen proper planting proposals. Watch this space for updates!