Media centre

Friday 13 Aug 2004

COUNTDOWN TO CLOSURE: ONE WEEK TO GO

Region & Route:

| Southern

With only one week to go until the ten day closure of a stretch of the North London Line, Network Rail and train operator Silverlink Metro are making sure that passengers are aware of the service alterations and alternative routes available. Network Rail will be carrying out essential work to replace track equipment on the line between Saturday 21 August and Monday 30 August (inclusive).  This will affect Silverlink Metro passengers between Highbury & Islington and North Woolwich in both directions.  The £5m programme of work will allow the complete refurbishment of three major junctions on the route, as well as essential maintenance and renewals on the heavily used line, which carries an average of 200 trains a day.  This investment in the infrastructure will secure long term benefits for the route, allowing enhanced performance and reliability for the high volume of passenger and freight customers, and reducing the need for future speed restrictions. Jon Wiseman, Network Rail Route Director said: “This work is essential to ensure the safe and efficient running of this busy stretch of commuter railway in North London.  We apologise to any passengers who are affected and thank them for their patience while this essential work is carried out.” Mark Steward, Silverlink Metro Route Director, commented: “There is never a good time to close a railway, but Network Rail needs to carry out essential maintenance and improvements.  The alternative travel arrangements we have put in place will enable passengers to make their regular journeys, but they should allow more time than normal.” - more - NLL-2 Alternative travel information is currently displayed at all stations along the North London Line, and leaflets are available.  Full timetables can be downloaded from the Silverlink website (www.silverlink-trains.com) and printed versions will be available in stations next week. From Saturday 21 to Friday 27 August, buses will replace trains between Highbury & Islington and Stratford, where passengers can make use of the connection to London Underground, Docklands Light Railway and London buses to continue their journey to Woolwich.  Silverlink staff will be on hand at all stations to assist customers with their journeys. From Saturday 28 to Monday 30 August (August bank holiday weekend), special arrangements will be in place to accommodate passengers headed for the Notting Hill Carnival.  Trains will run beyond Highbury as far as Hackney Central, to provide further connections for carnival goers bound for Kensal Rise and West London.  Silverlink tickets will be accepted on the following routes: ·                    London buses: routes 30, 276, 277 and 474 ·                    London Underground: Jubilee Line between West Hampstead and Stratford ·                    London Underground: Central Line between West Acton and Stratford ·                    Docklands Light Railway: between Beckton and Stratford.  For further travel advice, please contact National Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50 or London Travel Information on 020 7222 1234.