Later this month, Network Rail will be carrying out restoration works on two structures, meaning that passengers travelling through Bath are being advised to plan ahead.

The Grade II listed Sydney Gardens footbridge, the last surviving cat-iron footbridge of its kind on the Great Western Mainline, will undergo a series of repairs over two months.

The bridge will be fully wrapped while the work takes place, with it undergoing a full repaint and the full replacement of its wooden deck. The bridge will be grit blasted, and steel and masonry repairs will be carried out.

The second structure is the Grade II listed eastern portal of Box Tunnel.

Both will have scaffolding installed, which will be done during weekend closures between Bath Spa and Chippenham in April and May.

Buses will replace trains on the 25th and 26th April and again between the 2nd and 4th May.

Full details on how services will be affected can be found online.

“Sydney Gardens footbridge and the Box Tunnel entrance are not just railway structures, they are irreplaceable pieces of Brunel’s legacy. Restoring them is both a responsibility and a privilege.

“By coordinating this work with other planned maintenance, we’re minimising disruption to passengers whilst protecting two of the most historic landmarks on our railway.

“If you’re planning to travel during this time, please make sure to check before you travel, as bus replacement services will be in place on some routes and journeys may take longer than usual.”

Dan Parkes, Principal Portfolio Manager for Network Rail