Media centre

Thursday 22 Jan 2015

Bridge rebuilds progress as part of railway electrification in Walsall

Region & Route:

Work to rebuild two bridges over the railway in Walsall is progressing as Network Rail continues its investment in the railway.

The two bridges are being rebuilt to accommodate overhead power lines underneath as part of the electrification of the railway between Walsall and Rugeley Trent Valley.

Work has already started to rebuild the North Street bridge. The bridge is due for completion in late spring 2015. Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout.

Construction of a new bridge in Central Drive - which was stopped in late 2014 while the potential impact of former mineshafts was assessed - will resume on Monday 26 January after investigations into the shafts were completed. A road closure will be in place and work is due for completion in late spring 2015. Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout the work.

Work to rebuild a third bridge at Park Street in Walsall town centre has been rescheduled until October 2015 after complications to remove the existing structure were revealed.

Work resumed last week after a temporary stop over Christmas and the New Year to minimise the impact on the local area. Engineers discovered the structure, which dates back to the 1930s, was different to the original plans which means the planned removal of the structure by crane has to be reassessed.

As a result, the work will now take place between October and spring 2016. The new time will not impact on the overall electrification project between Walsall and Rugeley Trent Valley which will be completed by the end of 2017.

Liam Sumpter, area director for Network Rail, said: “Electrification provides a greener, faster and more reliable railway, providing a better service to passengers. A significant amount of work is required to upgrade the railway and much is already underway or completed as part of our investment.

“Replacing these bridges is essential to allow the line to be electrified and while there will be disruption while the upgrades are completed the end result will be a better railway for Walsall and the wider West Midlands.”

Residents and businesses will be notified regarding all road closures associated with the work. Diversions have been agree with the local authority and will be clearly signposted.

Network Rail is electrifying 15 miles of railway between Walsall, Hednesford and Rugeley Trent Valley to provide a cleaner, greener and more regular train service for passengers on the Chase Line.