NETWORK Rail have been refused permission to rebuild the rail bridge on Cardiff Road in Newport because their proposed concrete replacement was too ugly.

The rail company wanted to rebuild part of the bridge in winter this year to allow electrification of the Great Western Mainline (from London to Swansea), which requires a higher bridge for the different cables and trains which will be needed.

They do not need full planning permission to carry out essential work to the bridge, close to the big Tesco at Harlech Retail Park, but do have to obtain ‘prior approval’ before work starts.

The council refused this, however, saying the 1.8 metre grey concrete wall which would replace the current brick and steel parapet would “injure the amenity of the neighbourhood”, as it would be highly visible, “bland and obtrusive”.

Helen Hodgson, writing on behalf of Network Rail, said: “Electrification of the railway line will benefit the local area by delivering improved rail services and reduced journey time and is viewed by Welsh Government as a project of national significance.”

South Wales Argus:

How the bridge looks now (above) and how the work could look, as shown on another bridge which has already had the work completed (below):

South Wales Argus: An example of what the new wall would look like, provided to the council by Network Rail

She said the concrete wall would be given an anti-graffiti glaze and would “result in a consistent parapet treatment across the southern section of the bridge rather than the disparate parapet treatment which currently exists.

“The materials used in respect of the bridge parapets are typically used by Network Rail in its railway infrastructure and has proven to be durable and visually acceptable in similar urban locations.”

But the council disagreed and said in its decision: “Cardiff Road is a principle route through the City and the wall would be highly visible within the neighbourhood.

“Therefore, due to its external appearance the proposed wall is considered to injure the amenity of the neighbourhood and it is considered that it is capable of modification to remedy this.”

A Network Rail spokesperson said: “Cardiff Road bridge requires essential work to prepare it for electrification in South Wales, which will mean faster and more reliable journeys for passengers, as well as less noise and pollution for those who live close to the railway line.

“Every bridge replacement has a bespoke design that depends on a variety of factors, including safety issues, the geography of the area and whether extra funding has been made by another organisation.

“As a publicly funded organisation, we must balance our duty to preserve the heritage of the railway with the best use of taxpayers’ money. We are working closely with Newport council on the bridge design to ensure we get this balance right.”