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Wednesday 12 Oct 2022

Dartmoor Line delight as Network Rail scoops numerous awards at National Rail Awards 2022

Region & Route:

Wales & Western

| Wales & Western: Western

| Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

Network Rail teams from across Devon, Bristol, London and Wales enjoyed a triumphant evening at last night’s National Rail Awards scooping up a total of six awards at what is considered the ‘Railway’s Oscars’, held at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel.

Double delight for the Dartmoor Line

The project to reopen the Dartmoor Line was twice recognised, winning the Outstanding Teamwork and Outstanding Contribution to Society Awards, with colleagues from Network Rail and GWR who were instrumental in last year’s reopening of the line, in attendance to receive the awards.

The Dartmoor Line reopened to regular passenger services last November for the first time in nearly 50 years following over £40m of Government investment.

This mothballed former freight railway line, which runs between Okehampton and Exeter, was restored in just nine months and delivered £10m under budget becoming the first former line to reopen under the Government’s Restoring Your Railway programme. This was made possible by Network Rail’s team of engineers who worked tirelessly to deliver a huge programme of work including laying 11 miles of new track and installing 24,000 concrete sleepers and 29,000 tonnes of ballast in a record-breaking 20-day period.

Passenger numbers have exceeded expectations, with more than 130,000 journeys since opening at Okehampton – more than double forecast – and a further 50,000 additional journeys at Crediton.

Bristol East Junction upgrade provides better journeys

Another key project on Network Rail’s Western route was also recognised with the remodelling of Bristol East Junction being named Major Project of the Year.

Network Rail began work on this £132m Department for Transport-funded project last July and in just eight weeks completed the upgrade of this important junction just outside Bristol Temple Meads station.

The completion of this work has resulted in a clever new track layout and state of the art signalling equipment, meaning passengers experience better journeys when travelling to and from Bristol Temple Meads station as well being a key part of the region’s wider Metro West future plans.

More reliable services into and out of London Paddington

Network Rail and Alstom’s work last winter to upgrade axle counters on a stretch of track just outside of London Paddington was named Infrastructure Achievement of the Year award winner while Network Rail’s £30m restoration of the Grade II* listed Barmouth viaduct in North-West Wales was Highly Commended.

Bravery and calmness helps support vulnerable passenger at London Paddington

Saad Mulla, Customer Service Assistant at London Paddington station was named a winner of the Lifesaver Awards, in recognition of his efforts late at night last Christmas when he put his own safety to one side to help a vulnerable passenger travelling the wrong way on an escalator who had also harmed themselves resulting in a large amount of blood. During the incident, Saad showed great calmness and composure to support the distressed passenger and stop them from further harming themselves while waiting for the ambulance services to arrive.

The final of the six awards went to Reading station which was Highly Commended in the Station of the Year - Major Award.

Michelle Handforth, Network Rail’s Wales and Western regional managing director, said: “I am incredibly proud of our Wales and Western region and the successes of our colleagues, as evidenced by the six awards received at the National Rail Awards.

“From the fantastic major projects to the individual contributions of our colleagues, this latest recognition is a reflection of years of hard work and dedication from across the business and I would like to thank everyone for their continued efforts and congratulate our very worthy winners.”

Stuart Calvert, Network Rail’s Wales and Western Capital Delivery Director, said: “It was absolutely brilliant to see so many of our projects and colleagues recognised at this year’s National Rail Awards and I would like to congratulate everyone involved.

“I am so proud of our many colleagues who over the past 12 months, have made significant progress delivering a number of major engineering projects. The much-anticipated reopening of the Dartmoor Line was the result of a momentous effort by many colleagues who broke records, restored a railway under £10m budget and connected communities by rail for the first time in nearly half a century.

“In Bristol our upgrade of Bristol East Junction is providing passengers with more reliable and smoother journeys while our work in Wales to refurbish the iconic Barmouth Viaduct is critical to secure this vital rail link’s future for generations to come.”

Rail Minister, Kevin Foster, said: “It’s great to see the Restoring Your Railway funded Dartmoor Line receive the recognition it deserves at this year’s National Rail Awards.

“The reopening of this crucial line has transformed communities, reconnecting them to people and opportunities, something we are committed to continuing through the wider Restoring Your Railway programme.”