Media centre

Tuesday 5 Dec 2006

CHRISTMAS SIGNALS THE FINAL PHASE OF PORTSMOUTH RAILWAY UPGRADE

Region & Route:

| Southern: Wessex

| Southern

The final phase of the £100 million investment in signalling in the Portsmouth area begins over the Christmas period meaning more reliable journeys are in sight for rail passengers. Network Rail’s Route Director David Pape said: “The Portsmouth project involves a major overhaul of signalling and track equipment along a 50 mile section of the network, from Portsmouth to Petersfield and Bedhampton to Portchester. The final phase of this enormous project brings us one step closer to delivering better, smoother and more reliable journeys for passengers.” The final phase of works will be carried out in three stages between Christmas and February next year: · Stage 1 – from Saturday 23 December 2006 to Monday 1 January 2007 the lines from Portsmouth Harbour to Petersfield, Fareham and Chichester will be closed. Replacement buses will be in operation · Stage 2 – from Tuesday 2 January to Wednesday 31 January the lines between Portsmouth Harbour and Fratton will be closed. On Sunday 14 January, Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 January only the closure will extend to between Portsmouth Harbour and Petersfield, Fareham and Chichester. Replacement buses will be in operation · Stage 3 – from Thursday 1 February to Sunday 4 February the lines from Portsmouth Harbour to Petersfield, Fareham and Chichester will be closed. On Sunday 4 February the closure will extend to between Portsmouth Harbour and Haselmere, Swanwick and Eastleigh. Replacement buses will be in operation The closure of the line during Stage 3 of the works (Thursday 1 February to Sunday 4 February) has been extended from previously advertised because additional work is now needed. Network Rail would like to apologise to passengers for the extended closure of the line during this period but this is essential to allow work to be completed and the new signalling equipment brought into use for the first services on Monday 5 February. Bringing the new signalling equipment into operation at the final stages of the work will reduce the time available to get trains into position overnight. For this reason South West Trains may have to run a reduced service on routes starting from Portsmouth on the morning of Monday 5 February. David Pape said: “Our focus is to complete works on schedule so that passengers can experience the benefits of the new signalling equipment straight away. I would like to apologise to passengers in advance for the extra two days work and appreciate that this will cause additional disruption to passengers. I believe the long term benefits for passengers will make this additional work worthwhile and we will work closely with the train operating companies throughout the works to minimise disruption and keep passengers on the move.” For further travel advice, passengers are advised to consult the South West Trains and Southern Railway websites (www.southwesttrains.co.uk and www.southernrailway.com). Alternative travel arrangements are also available from National Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50 or www.nationalrail.co.uk.