Media centre

Monday 20 Dec 2004

£1 MILLION NEW TRACK BETWEEN DIDCOT AND SWINDON

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Western

| Wales & Western

| Southern

During four weekends in January and February, Network Rail will be working in Steventon village, spending £1 million to install more than 1600 yards of new railway track. Peter Leppard, Network Rail Route Director, said: “The line between Didcot and Swindon is a heavily used railway line and this work will ensure its future, improve performance and will also deliver a smoother and quieter ride for passengers.” Each weekend, work will start at 5.30am on the Saturday morning and finish at 5.30am on the Monday morning.  Train services will be affected.  Customers are advised to consult www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk or contact National Rail Enquiries on 08457 484950. Steventon is a unique community with the railway running through the centre of the village.  Renewing the railway is important to Network Rail, but so is the railway’s neighbours and we have made a special effort to maintain access from one side of the village to the other. The two level crossings that connect the village, Stocks Lane and Causeway, will have to be closed during the work as Network Rail engineering vehicles will straddle them, but we will reinstate an alternative road to secure permanent access. The single lane track has been resurfaced by Network Rail and will give constant access from the south of the village to the railway bridge on the High Street.  The lane will have manned traffic lights throughout the closures. Mr Leppard continued:  “The railway is an integral part of life in Steventon.  This work is essential for everyone who uses the railway and we are confident that it will be carried out with as little disruption as possible.”