Media centre

Wednesday 21 Apr 2004

£200,000 INVESTED AT KIDBROOK WILL BRING LONG TERM BENEFITS TO RAIL PASSENGERS

Region & Route:

| Southern

Network Rail has completed engineering work at Kidbrook as part of its commitment to rebuild Britain’s railway.  Rail workers carried out work to significantly improve a culvert running close to the railway between Blackheath and Kidbrook stations.             Debris, such as shopping trolleys and other rubbish, which were blocking the stream, were removed and trash screens were installed to prevent further dumped objects entering the culvert.  The railway line was at high risk of flooding in periods of severe weather, which could lead to service delays and speed restrictions.  Therefore, the work saw the construction of strengthened culvert walls. These will prevent water flooding onto the line and will improve drainage, reducing potential delays to services and thus bringing long-term benefits to passengers. The Construction Partnership (a partnership between Edmund Nuttall Ltd and Network Rail) carried out the work, which was  completed on time and to budget.  All work carried out was subject to an environmental and ecological survey to ensure that protected species were not disturbed during the work.  The contractors worked to an agreed code of practice to notify residents in advance of the work and to ensure that noise and disruption to local residents was kept to an absolute minimum. The work was carried out whilst trains were running to prevent disruption to services. Network Rail’s Regional Director, Robin Gisby said: “Network Rail is committed to rebuilding the railway and proactively managing our assets. Our front line staff are targeting parts of the infrastructure and improving them to ensure that we can deliver a better service for our customers and the passenger”