Media centre

Thursday 5 Feb 2004

CHERWELL VALLEY RESIGNALLING - MAJOR ENGINEERING WORKS FEBRUARY 14 – MARCH 20 2004

Region & Route:

Excellent headway is being made in Network Rail’s modernisation of 20 miles of railway between Leamington Spa and Banbury, as part of the £30m Cherwell Valley resignalling scheme. This scheme is being jointly funded by the Strategic Rail Authority and Network Rail. The project is on schedule for completion in the spring and essential engineering works will take place over weekends between February and March. -more- Cher-Val- 2 The benefits of resignalling the route are: · Improved timetable performance · Greater capacity, which will allow for long-term growth in both passenger and freight traffic · To provide a convenient and reliable alternative route for the West Coast Main Line Preparations to install points and crossings are currently taking place, which will provide a more reliable and flexible layout. In order for this essential work to take place, the line between Banbury and Leamington Spa will be closed on the following dates: · Sunday 15 February 2004 · Saturday and Sunday each weekend between 21 February – 20 March 2004 to install points and crossings A number of new track crossovers will be installed including an emergency crossover at Leamington Spa (south). The ‘Down Goods Loop’ at Fenny Compton is being remodelled to make it bi-directional and this will be extended to 800 metres, enabling it to take the longest freight trains in use on the network. Richard Dugdale, Commercial Schemes Sponsor for Network Rail Midlands Region said: -more- Cher-Val- 3 “This work demonstrates Network Rail’s commitment to rebuilding the railway and we are pleased that signalling improvements on the Cherwell Valley route continue on schedule. The scheme will provide increased capacity for both passenger and freight services and will allow greater flexibility in the operation of the timetable, which will be welcomed by all train operators and rail travellers on this route. ” Replacement buses will operate during the engineering works. Passengers are advised to check with National Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50 for full details of alternative services.