One of the joys of growing up in the 1960s was to watch steam trains passing under a railway bridge, being momentarily lost from the sight of your companions as you were covered in a plume of smoke. The experience never failed to amuse.

Now, many years later, I frequently pause at these bridges, usually to quench my thirst, during a cycle ride, to admire the surrounding countryside.

However, the forthcoming electrification of the London to Paddington line has somewhat blighted this pleasure. The Notton Lane overbridge, near Chippenham, for example, has recently re-opened after being closed for several weeks due to maintenance work for the forthcoming electrification of the Paddington to Bristol line.

On its reopening I find the beautiful Bath stone brickwork has been replaced by a wall of grey, unadorned, featureless cement. The height of this monstrosity is six feet three inches (or in that other measurement favoured by large chain stores and Key Stage 2 SATs tests 190.5 centimetres). Hence, if one now stops at the said bridge to partake of a rest the only way to admire the cattle, sheep and other life below is to carry a step ladder.

As the height of the sides of the bridge can have no bearing to the mechanisms below it seems a shame that such a beautiful bridge has been transformed into such an ugly blot on the landscape whilst contriving to spoil the view of any passers by. I would be interested to know if this ‘improvement’ is a regular feature of the line from London to Bristol.

William Hulbert, Dallas Road, Chippenham.