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Tuesday 1 Sep 2015

Public thanked for their patience after electrification work in Bath completes on time

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Western

| Wales & Western

Network Rail and First Great Western thanked passengers today for their patience following the completion, on time, of work to prepare Bath’s railway line for electrification.

Over the last six weeks, Network Rail’s ‘orange army’ has lowered and replaced 10km of track in Bath and its surrounding area in preparation for the arrival of a new fleet of faster, quieter and greener electric trains. As part of the £50m project, the team also installed 11 new switches and crossings, enabling trains to move from one track to another.

Andy Haynes, Network Rail’s project director for the west of England, said: “This momentous project to prepare Bath’s railway line for electrification is the largest Network Rail has carried out to date and is the biggest on the Western route for 40 years.

“We always knew it was going to be a complex job, given the historic architecture and infrastructure we were working with, but I’m pleased to say the work was completed on time ready for us to re-open the line to passengers this morning.”

The next major stage of the Great Western Electrification Programme in Bath will take place next year and will involve the installation of the overhead line equipment that will power the new electric trains to run underneath.

Andy continued: “I would like to thank passengers and residents for their continued patience and support throughout this preparation work.

“The next stage of our electrification programme involves installing the overhead line equipment and we will continue to work closely with Bath and North East Somerset Council, Wiltshire Council and First Great Western to minimise disruption while this work is taking place.

“This improvement work will bring Brunel’s railway into the 21^st century, paving the way for the new electric trains that will provide passengers with more seats and faster journeys, while significantly reducing noise and pollution for those who live close to the railway line.

"In addition, the ability to reduce journey times while increasing capacity will benefit businesses, helping to drive economic growth across the South West.”

Rob Mullen, First Great Western’s general manager central, said: “While we worked very hard with Network Rail to keep people on trains as much as possible, we are only too aware of the disruption this work has caused to our passengers and are grateful for their patience.

“This work paves the way for more frequent trains, more seats and quicker journey times – and the greatest change since diesel took over from steam 40 years ago.”

ENDS                                                           

Notes to editors

Time-lapse footage of the track lowering work through Dundas Aqueduct is available here.

Time-lapse footage of the electrification preparation work at Box Tunnel, Sydney Gardens and Bathampton Junction will be available shortly.

About the Great Western Electrification Programme

Electrification will transform the railway between London and Oxford, Newbury, Bristol and Cardiff to deliver a faster, greener, quieter and more reliable railway for passengers, with extra capacity. Electrifying this part of the Great Western route will enhance 235 miles of one of Britain’s busiest and oldest railways, better connecting major towns and cities across southern England and South Wales. This investment, as well as the introduction of a fleet of new trains, will improve journey times and make services more comfortable, smoother, cleaner and quieter for passengers and people living near the railway.

For more information about the Great Western Electrification Programme, visit: http://www.networkrail.co.uk/great-western-route-modernisation/