They’ve erected the two stairways and they are just putting the support for the walkway across today (Sunday 7 Dec). Presumably they’ll need some more time without any trains passing to finish the walkway off.

A quick progress report on Network Rail’s work to raise the footbridge in connection with the electrification of the Great Western main line.

On the Wapley side of the bridge they have now laid stone along the green lane to the point where the temporary footbridge will be positioned. On the Shire Way side contractors Murphys have been removing excess soil prior to constructing the temporary bridge. If the track to or from the “ash track” is blocked for lorry movements, they will let you through if you ask – the track isn’t closed.

The temporary bridge will go up in the fairly near future, and they will then start work on the accesses to the new bridge. Subject to the weather it is planned to crane the old bridge out and crane the new bridge in over a VERY long day on Boxing Day.

Wapley Bushes Conservation Group have celebrated three major successes this year. We’ve retained the Green Flag Community Award – awarded for high quality public open space – and gained two awards in South West in Bloom, forming part of Yate and Dodington in Bloom’s Gold Pennant winning entry.

Presenting the awards to the Group at the 15 November work morning, Dodington Parish Council Chairman Cllr Christine Howard said “This is all down to the volunteers. Without their enthusiasm none of this would have been possible”

Conservation Group volunteer and parish councillor Paul Hulbert said “We were particularly pleased that our very new project on Wapley Common, the Orchard for the Future, gained the highest possible Neighbourhood In Bloom Award”

“We’ve already started preparing for next year – since the judges visited, Dodington Parish Council and the Conservation Group have relaid the main path round Wapley Woods so that local people will be able to use it despite wet weather over the winter”

But it wasn’t all celebrations – after the presentation we got stuck in and cleared back vegetation on both sides of the pathway from the kissing gate to the Western Wood, plus a “deep clean” of the litter on the Reserve.

The work to raise the Wapley footbridge to make room for the overhead cables for electric trains is now under way. Network Rail’s contractors have been clearing vegetation and test drilling to check out the ground conditions.

A temporary footbridge will be provided while the main bridge is out of use. Unfortunately the temporary bridge won’t be suitable for pushchairs or prams.

This year we have once again won three major awards. In South West in Bloom, Wapley Common and the Orchard for the Future gained a Level 5 Outstanding award, and was part of the route that gained Yate and Dodington in Bloom a Gold Pennant. Wapley Bushes Local Nature Reserve gained a Level 3 Developing award.

The Nature Reserve and Orchard retained the Green Flag Community Award, the national award for high quality public open spaces. The awards will be presented by the Chairman of Dodington Parish Council Cllr Christine Howard at the start of our next Wapley work morning on Saturday 15 November.

This workday will be a morning of general maintenance work and tidying up the reserve prior to the winter season. Please wear walking or wellington boots and bring some gloves. Meet at the Shire Way entrance to the woodland, south Yate, BS37 8US, 10.00am.

The Wildlife Trust will be holding a workday on Saturday 4 October at the Kennedy Way Pond, which recently won an award in South West in Bloom for its range of flora and fauna. Volunteers will be carrying out general management works including vegetation clearance at this local wildlife haven.

Meet at the Kennedy Way Pond, Link Road, Yate Shopping Centre at 10.00am (parking is available at the Yate overflow car park also on the eastern side of Link Road, BS37 4AY).

A dozen volunteers set to and achieved wonders in a couple of hours. We dug out the stream – our annual task – and cleared paths, gathered rubbish and checked our fruit trees. A good morning in the fresh air!