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Wednesday 27 Jul 2016

Check before you travel as Worcestershire railway upgrade continues

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Western

| Wales & Western

Rail passengers travelling in Worcestershire in early August are advised to check before they travel as Network Rail carries out essential work to upgrade the railway network in the area.

Between Saturday, 6 and Wednesday, 10 August, Network Rail will continue its improvement to the signalling equipment between Worcester Shrub Hill and Droitwich Spa stations.

The work forms an important part of Network Rail’s Railway Upgrade Plan to provide a bigger, better, more reliable railway for passengers and will involve refurbishing the existing signalling system, parts of which were installed in the 1860s and are unique to this section of the rail network. As a result of the refurbishment, passengers will benefit from a more reliable railway with fewer delays.

Emily Luszcz, Network Rail’s project manager, said: “As the number of people choosing to travel by train continues to grow, it’s vital we continue to invest in improving and upgrading our network. The work between Worcester and Droitwich forms an important part of our Railway Upgrade Plan and will mean better, more reliable services for passengers in the area.”

“I’d like to thank passengers in advance for their patience and understanding while we complete this essential work to upgrade the railway.”

Train services during this time will be diverted to run to and from Worcester Foregate Street station, with a revised train service operating between Birmingham and the Worcester and Malvern areas.

The improvement work will also restrict access to London Midland’s train maintenance depot at Worcester, which will mean changes to the number of carriages on some train services.

Passengers are advised to check with London Midland before they travel. Alternatively National Rail Enquiries also has up-to-date travel information.

Brenda Lawrence, head of Snow Hill services at London Midland, said: “We know there is never a good time to do improvement work across the network, however the work to upgrade the signalling system this summer is essential and will allow our passengers to experience a more reliable service in the area.

“We’ve worked closely with our industry partners and stakeholders to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum, and we strongly advise passengers to check their journeys before travelling.”

Ahead of the latest upgrade work passengers are invited to a Meet the Manager session at   Worcester Foregate Street on Thursday, 28 July between 4.30pm and 6.30pm.