£5 MILLION NORTH WALES RE-SIGNALLING PROJECT COMPLETED

Friday 21 Jan 2005

£5 MILLION NORTH WALES RE-SIGNALLING PROJECT COMPLETED

Region & Route:: | Wales & Western: Wales & Borders; | Wales & Western

A new £5 million signalling system has been installed to the North Wales coast line, bringing benefits to both Train and Freight Operating Companies by improving the capacity along the North Wales route. The signal boxes at Mold Junction and Sandycroft, which date back to the early 1900s and previously controlled significant junctions on the North Wales coast, have been taken out of action. They have been replaced by a new three aspect Colour Light Signalling system, controlled by Chester Power Signal Box. Andrew Skidmore, Network Rail’s Area General Manager, said: “The delivery of the project has provided some considerable challenges, not least the incorporation of the latest LED signal and train detection technology, as well as the implementation of a large training programme for all project, maintenance and operating personnel.” The £5 million scheme, funded by Network Rail, also converts the route between Chester and Rockliffe Hall from Absolute Block to Track Circuit Block operation. In addition to this it also uses the latest generation of Alcatel Axle Counters with the first UK Network application of ‘Preparatory Reset’.

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