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Monday 30 Dec 2024

COMPLETED: Thameslink route through central London reopened following track replacement works over Christmas

Region & Route:

Southern

| Southern: Sussex

Passengers have been thanked for their patience while engineers replaced track on the Thameslink route in central London over Christmas

Track replacement on the Thameslink route in central London meant that from Christmas Day to Sunday 29 December, the line from St. Pancras International to Herne Hill was closed.

During that time, Network Rail engineers installed 1,670m of new rails on the track between Farringdon and Blackfriars, as well as a number of insulated block joints - the joints that bolt sections of railway track together.

An equivalent amount of scrap rail was also recycled following construction of the new track. The opportunity was also taken to improve drainage and maintain switches and crossings at Farringdon, City Thameslink and Blackfriars.

David Davidson, Kent Route Director for Network Rail said: “I’d like to thank passengers for their patience while we completed this work.

“The rails between St Pancras International and Blackfriars were installed in 2011, and after 13 years and thousands of trains passing over the track, the track had become worn and we needed to install brand new rail to prevent faults delaying passenger journeys.

“With the railway closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day our engineers were able to get a head start on the work so that we could reopen this crucial route.”

Jenny Saunders, Customer Services Director for Govia Thameslink Railway said: “We’re glad this important piece of improvement work was able to take place over the festive break, and we thank customers for their patience and cooperation. Thanks to the work, there are new railway tracks between Farringdon and Blackfriars, which is one of the busiest sections on our network.”