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Friday 15 Jan 2016

Passengers advised to check before weekend travel as Abbey Wood’s Crossrail upgrade continues

Region & Route:

| Southern

Passengers using Abbey Wood station are being advised to check before travelling at weekends throughout 2016 as Network Rail continues its work to build a new station and new tracks for Crossrail. As a result of the work, the station will be closed for a number of weekends this year.

Weekend closures are needed when large amounts of work need to be carried out on the operational railway.  These closures will allow the project team time to move the existing tracks and create space for new Crossrail tracks between Abbey Wood station and the new tunnels at Plumstead. The closures are also needed to construct new platforms for both Southeastern and Crossrail services and for the construction of the new station.  

Crossrail represents the biggest addition to the local rail network since the North Kent Line was built in 1849.  The new two-level station will open at the end of 2017 and will include a bright and spacious concourse, improved lift access to all platforms and two new platforms for North Kent Line and Crossrail services.  When Crossrail begins in 2018, passengers will benefit from up to 12 additional services an hour from Abbey Wood, making it significantly quicker and easier to get to a range of destinations across London and the South East.

Sarah Brown, Project Lead at Southeastern said: “We continue to work with Network Rail to ensure these works are completed when fewer people travel from the station. We’re sorry for any inconvenience these weekend closures may cause, but are confident that this major investment will transform Abbey Wood station and deliver huge benefits for passengers."

Peter Hume, Senior Programme manager at Network Rail, said: “We make every effort to minimise disruption to passengers but we can only complete some of our work when the trains are not running. We will continue to work closely with Southeastern to make sure passengers know about station closures and we want to thank the community for their ongoing patience as we continue to deliver the significant benefits that Crossrail will bring.”

A bus replacement service will be available to nearby stations to those wanting to travel to and from London during weekends and tickets will be accepted on DLR routes between Lewisham and Greenwich.  

Passengers are advised to check before they travel and to allow more time for their journeys to and from the station.  You can register for tailored email alerts online at southeasternrailway.co.uk, download the Southeastern ‘On Track’ app via Google Play or iTunes or check nationalrailenquiries.co.uk. 

More information can be found at: http://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/your-journey/engineering-work/crossrail/

ENDS