Media centre

Tuesday 7 Dec 2004

CHRISTMAS ENGINEERING WORK – THE REBUILDING OF THE RAILWAY GOES ON

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

| Wales & Western

Engineering work to take place over the Christmas period in Wales and the West Country was announced today by Network Rail. Each year the railway closes on Christmas Day and Boxing Day (except for the Heathrow Express, Eurostar and a few Southeastern Trains services, which run on Boxing Day).  And each Christmas break the company takes advantage of this traditional two-day closure to carry out an extensive programme of engineering work.  The principal work to take place outside the traditional two-day period in the region is engineering work near Bristol Parkway at Westerleigh Junction from 27 December until 31 December (inclusive).  First Great Western, Virgin Cross Country and Wessex services will not be stopping at Bristol Parkway during this time.  Diversionary routes and replacement bus services will be in place in certain circumstances, adding times to journeys. In addition to this: ·         The line will be closed on the Cheltenham to Bristol line between Gloucester and Yate and Gloucester and Stonehouse over the weekend of Saturday 18 December – Sunday 19 December for general maintenance work. ·        On Sunday 19 December, the line between Westbury and Taunton will be closed for maintenance work. Announcing this year’s work, Peter Leppard, Network Rail’s Acting Western Route Director, said: “This Christmas will be busier than ever for Network Rail, its staff and contractors, as our job to rebuild the railway continues.  “Tens of thousands of dedicated railway staff will be hard at work over the festive break, forgoing their Christmas dinners and time with their families to undertake massive engineering tasks, helping to deliver a better performing railway.”