Media centre

Monday 3 Aug 2009

BRIDGE REPLACEMENTS IMPROVE ARUN VALLEY RAILWAY

Region & Route:

| Southern

Network Rail is replacing two bridges over the River Arun as part of a £6m investment to upgrade the railway for passengers using the Arun Valley line.

The main work will take place over the August bank holiday weekend, which coincides with the second weekend of the Arundel Festival. Special train and replacement bus services will be in operation during this weekend when the railway will be closed.

Peppering and Black Rabbit bridges are located between Arundel and Amberley stations. They are fast approaching the end of their lives, so need replacing to enable trains to continue crossing the river safely. Once installed, the new bridges will also provide a smoother ride for passengers.

Following consultation with West Sussex county council and Arundel town council, Network Rail and Southern will be putting special arrangements in place so trains can continue to run via the coastal route into Arundel station between 29 and 31 August, the second weekend of the Arundel Festival. Rail replacement bus services will also be operating from Pullborough.

Fiona Taylor, Network Rail's route director for Sussex, said: "As the bridges will be replaced during the second weekend of the Arundel Festival, we are installing a set of buffers at the station and Southern is operating a special timetable to allow trains to continue to run into the town from the south. It is very rare we are able to make this type of arrangement, but we understand the role of the festival in the community's annual calendar and want to make it as easy as possible for visitors to get there by train and enjoy the occasion."

Southern's commercial director Alex Foulds, said: "Valuable input from local councils and passenger representatives, the festival organisers and Network Rail has meant we have been able to plan a good alternative service for rail users travelling to and from the Arun Valley despite the essential bridge replacements.”

Arundel Festival Artistic Director, Glenda Harkess, commented: “Despite the changes in rail services during the Festival, we still believe that the train is one of the best ways to come to Arundel. Many of the highlights of the Festival take place on the second weekend including a choral concert in the Cathedral, street entertainment, Arundel Town Fair, End of Festival Fireworks Fireworks Party and the 10k race.”

Ian Fenwick Chairman the Arundel Chamber of Commerce added: “Arundel is open for business as normal during the bridge repairs. Network Rail and Southern Railways have produced a great plan of train replacement services and we will be delighted to see everybody as usual for our fantastic festival.”

The upgrade work has been scheduled over the summer months when the British weather is usually at its best. The land around the bridges is low-lying and prone to flooding, so any prolonged rainfall could make the work difficult to complete.

Ms Taylor added: "The replacement of these two bridges is essential for us to continue running a safe railway. It has taken a considerable amount of planning due to the geography at the location and the complexity of removing and installing two new bridges in one go. The August bank holiday presents the best opportunity to do this work while keeping disruption for passengers to a minimum.”

Passengers are advised to check with National Rail Enquiries (www.nationalrail.co.uk / 08457 484950) or Southern (www.southernrailway.com / 08451 272920) before they finalise their travel plans. Full details of train and rail replacement bus services, including how to get to Arundel, are also available.