Welcoming Network Rail’s change to schedules, limiting its Christmas Day work programme for the construction of Parson Street bridge (part of the MetroBus scheme), Bristol South MP Karin Smyth said:
“A number of constituents who live nearby have been in touch with me about the noise being caused by these works and I contacted Network Rail on their behalf asking them to investigate the implications of offering residents some form of festive respite on Christmas Day.
“Local people understand that these important works were scheduled during the holiday period because of the need to carry them out when the line is not being used.
“But I know residents will join me in welcoming the small-but-important change Network Rail have now made, following representations, to try to ensure the noisiest work does not now take place in the small hours of Christmas morning.
“Thank you to Network Rail for showing some flexibility. Local residents – even those with excited youngsters – might now have a better chance of a slightly calmer start to Christmas Day.”
Local Labour councillors Mark Bradshaw (pictured left, with Karin Smyth MP) and Celia Phipps also made representations to Network Rail on the issue on behalf of local residents.