CHELTENHAM DERAILMENT UPDATE

Wednesday 19 Oct 2005

CHELTENHAM DERAILMENT UPDATE

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

Following yesterday’s derailment of a freight train wagon, four miles of track has been extensively damaged just south of Cheltenham Spa Station to just north of Gloucester. In order to carry out repairs, both lines between Gloucester and Cheltenham will be subject to line closures until Wednesday 26 October. Andy Hancock, Network Rail’s General Manager for the West Country, said: “The train was removed from site yesterday afternoon and we now have a major campaign in place to repair the extensive damage to our infrastructure. Our engineers will be working around the clock to re-open the line; work will include replacing almost 10,000 sleepers and repairing signalling and points.” Network Rail opened one of the tracks between Gloucester and Cheltenham at lunchtime yesterday to restricted services. In order to undertake the repair works, both lines will be closed at the following times: Thursday 20 – Saturday 22 October: every night between 19:00 – 07:00 Saturday 22 October (19:00) – Monday 24 October (07:00) Monday 24 – Tuesday 25 October: every night between 19:00 – 07:00 Passengers using this route are advised to contact their local train operating company or National Rail Enquiries before travelling.

Contact information

Passengers / community members
Network Rail national helpline
03457 11 41 41

Latest travel advice
Please visit National Rail Enquiries

Journalists
Network Rail press office -Western route
MediaRelationsWestern@networkrail.co.uk

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We own, operate and develop Britain's railway infrastructure; that's 20,000 miles of track, 30,000 bridges, tunnels and viaducts and the thousands of signals, level crossings and stations. We run 20 of the UK's largest stations while all the others, over 2,500, are run by the country's train operating companies.

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