Media centre

Monday 19 Oct 2009

CHRISTMAS UPGRADE FOR SOUTHAMPTON TUNNEL

Region & Route:

Southern: Wessex

| Southern

The biggest part of a £71m project designed to remove up to 50,000 lorries a year from the region’s roads and provide a cheaper, quicker and more practical way of transporting goods around the country starts in Southampton over the Christmas period. 

The upgrade of Southampton railway tunnel, which is supported by local business, is required to enable bigger 9' 6" or ‘high-cube’ containers to be transported efficiently by rail from Associated British Ports' (ABP) Port of Southampton across the country, making a valuable contribution to the local economy and helping Britain compete better in the global marketplace.

Richard O’Brien, Network Rail’s route director for Wessex, said: “Rail can provide a cheaper, greener and more practical way of transporting freight compared with road.  This project aims to increase the amount of freight transported from Southampton by rail, which in turn will bring long-term benefits for city and the surrounding area.

“Of the 50 structures we’re upgrading, Southampton tunnel is by far the most significant.  Previously it would have been necessary to fully close the tunnel fully for up to 12 weeks to carry out the upgrade. Today, using new technology and smarter ways of working, the full closure can be reduced to less than 30 days. We can assure passengers that we have made every effort to keep as many trains as possible running while we carry out this work to keep disruption to a minimum.  We recommend passengers check their train times before they travel.”

New technology and work practices have significantly reduced the amount of time that the tunnel needs to be closed. The first part of the tunnel upgrade to lower the tracks starts on 30 November 2009, and will continue until 10 January 2010.  Where possible, work will be carried out on one of the tracks through the tunnel while trains continue to run on the other.  During the working week (Monday to Friday) passengers will be able to travel through the tunnel by train for most of the time, although some people may have to change trains in the Southampton area.

Not all of the work can be done while trains are running.  Therefore the tunnel will need to be closed completely on week nights between approximately 11.15pm – 5.45am and at weekends.  In addition the tunnel will be closed completely from 25 December 2009 until 4 January 2010.  Diversions and bus replacement services will be in operation during these closures.

The second phase of the project is scheduled to be carried during the Christmas 2010 / New Year 2011 period.

For further details about the alteration to train services to and from Southampton between 30 November 2009 – 10 January 2010 and other passenger arrangements visit www.southwesttrains.co.uk .

The Chamber of Commerce in Southampton has been in discussions with Network Rail during the planning stages and is fully supportive of the scheme.  Jimmy Chestnutt, director general, said: “The Southampton Chamber is very pleased with the level of consultation and listening done by Network Rail to bring about this major rail upgrade for Southampton and local businesses.   We have supported this project from the start and were instrumental in gaining the support of other Chambers along the rail freight route for the funding request.”  

Freight services are indispensable to everyday life.  They deliver food, clothing, electronics and other goods to stock shops and supermarkets, coal to provide electricity to power the nation and aggregates for major industries. The freight industry makes a valuable contribution to the regional and national economy, and the government is investing £350m in projects to achieve the significant economic, efficiency and environmental benefits rail freight offers.

The other structures in Southampton which need upgrading as part of the Southampton to Nuneaton freight project are St Denys Road bridge and the canopies at St Denys and Swaythling stations.  The station canopies will be trimmed back, while the half of St Denys Road bridge which carries the south-bound carriageway will need to be replaced.  To maximise efficiency and reduce passenger disruption, these pieces of work will also be carried out between 24 December 2009 and 4 January 2010, the same time the railway is closed for the tunnel works.

South West Trains, Southern, Cross Country and First Great Western trains will be affected during the tunnel upgrade.  Passengers are advised to check with National Rail Enquiries (0845 7 48 49 50 / www.nationalrail.co.uk) before they finalise their travel plans.