Media centre

Tuesday 21 Oct 2003

£184 MILLION RAILWAY INVESTMENT IN FINAL STAGE

Region & Route:

| Southern

Network Rail is nearing the end of its £184 million West Anglia Route Modernisation project, which will bring the West Anglia route from Liverpool Street to Stansted Airport into the 21st Century. The final stage, which includes the line from Roydon to Stansted Airport, will be completed on 29 October 2003 bringing the technology in line with all other major London arterial routes.  The life-expired signalling system and level crossing equipment is being renewed and will improve the reliability and safety of the route for years to come.  During the sixth and final stage of the project the operation of three signal boxes, two level crossings and three railway foot crossings will be transferred to Liverpool Street Control Centre. Network Rail and its contractors have been working relentlessly overnight and at weekends to get as much work completed as possible with the minimum of disruption to commuters.  The final push to get the whole project completed, needs the line to be closed for four days.  In liaison with the Train Operating Companies it was decided to close the line between Broxbourne and Audley End, late night Friday 24 October until Tuesday 28 October inclusive.  The line will be reopened for a full passenger service on Wednesday 29 October. -         more – WARM - 2 During this closure, coaches will replace trains between Audley End and Broxbourne; and Stansted Airport and Liverpool Street.  Trains to Enfield Town, Chingford, Hertford East and Broxbourne via Seven Sisters and Tottenham Hale will not be affected.  Sawbridgeworth Level Crossing will be closed all day on Sunday 26 October and Spelbrook level crossing will be closed from Saturday 18 October to Wednesday 29 October (not including Saturday 25 October).  Local diversionary routes will be sign posted during the road closures. Mark Phillips, Network Rail Regional Director said: “Network Rail is committed to improving performance and reliability.  The £184 million investment into the West Anglia route will deliver this.  The project will bring the line into the 21st century.”