Media centre

Monday 20 Oct 2003

£4M SPEND FOR ASCOT TO WATERLOO LINE

Region & Route:

| Southern: Wessex

| Southern

Network Rail has invested £4 million improving the tracks on the Ascot to Waterloo route.  As part of Network Rail’s commitment to rebuilding the railway, track improvements started on the 30 August and continued on weekends up to the 20 October.  The majority of the work was specifically programmed at the weekends to ensure that peak commuter travel periods remained unaffected. Network Rail and South West Trains worked together to plan the renewal way in advance to ensure passengers and residents were notified and that replacement bus services were arranged. Network Rail engineers worked around the clock to renew over 4 miles of track between Ascot and Virginia Water stations.  Continuously welded rail with concrete sleepers replaced jointed rail on wooden sleepers, using a total of xxx tonnes of ballast, xxx sleepers and xxx yards of rail.             While the line was closed for improvements, Network Rail will used the opportunity to upgrade the leve;l crossing at xx , which is the largest xxx in Europe.  All work carried out by was subject to an environmental and ecological survey to ensure that protected species were not disturbed during the work.              Network Rail Regional Director, Robin Gisby said: “The weekend working is a good example of how different parties in the rail industry can work together to maximise track access opportunities.  Passengers can expect a smoother, quieter ride.”