THE rail bridge at the Ocean in Stonehouse has been completed on time after around the clock work during the festive period.

Between 10pm on Friday, December 24 and 4am on Saturday, January 1, the team from Network Rail worked 24/7 in order to finish the project.

This consisted of replacing the railway bridge at on behalf of the Cotswold Canals Connected Project as part of its plans to restore four miles of canal between Stonehouse and Saul Junction.

The new rail bridge is large enough for boats to pass through with a footpath for walkers.

The construction of this rail bridge will allow Stroud and Stonehouse to become canal towns again.

On New Year’s Day, Network Rail confirmed on social media that they had finished: “We’ve completed our Christmas bridge work at Stonehouse and track renewals in South Gloucestershire.

“Train services have now resumed. Please continue to check before you travel as Covid-19 is resulting in crew shortages. Thank you for your patience.”

Councillor John Bloxsom said: “Brilliant job done. Thanks to the whole team. I’m looking forward to Cotswold Canals from Saul Junction to Stroud Town.”

Network Rail has thanked passengers and local residents for their patience and understanding over the festive period while it has completed important rail upgrades.

Mike Gallop, Network Rail Western route and strategic operations director, said: “I’m really pleased with the upgrades our engineers have completed over the festive period.

"These upgrades will help ensure we continue to run a safe and reliable railway for years to come, not forgetting also enabling boats to pass through the canal at the Ocean in Stonehouse for the first time in many years.”

“Undertaking this work over the festive period when there are fewest people travelling – particularly with no trains on Christmas Day and very few on Boxing Day – ensured the number of passengers disrupted were kept to a minimum.

“The festive period is a really critical time for us to make vital upgrades to the railway and completing £22m of engineering work (across the region) is no mean feat.

"I’d also like to thank the many men and women from Network Rail who gave up their festive periods so we can complete these upgrades for the benefit of our passengers."