Media centre

Monday 4 Apr 2005

EASTER ENGINEERING WORKS WERE A ‘CRACKING’ SUCCESS

Region & Route:

National

The large scale engineering works undertaken by Network Rail over Easter were all successfully completed over the bank holiday weekend. Chief Executive, John Armitt, said:  “This engineering work is essential to the future of the railway. Tens of thousands of dedicated railway staff worked very hard over the weekend to help deliver a better railway for everyone.” Key achievements included the renewal of 43,442 yards of track, of which 1,000 yards were replaced at Shoeburyness station and 150 workers laid 986 yards of new track at Hadley Wood. Two major signalling projects were achieved in Scunthorpe and Sheerness, 4 level crossings were renewed and the replacement of 5 rail bridges were all achieved over the holiday period. John Armitt added: “The results of our engineering works are making a real difference to passengers’ journeys.  Latest government figures show that the number of Network Rail delay minutes was down 16% compared to the same period last year.” LONDON & THE SOUTH EAST Southend to Shoeburyness Major track renewals work Sittingbourne to Sheerness-on-Sea Major re-signalling work Finsbury Park to Welwyn Garden City London Blackfriars to Herne Hill Work was undertaken on a crucial rail over road bridge Hadley Wood Track renewals work MIDLANDS Birmingham to Leicester Major renewals work took place across this route Doncaster to Cleethorpes Major track and signalling work took place NORTH WEST West Coast Main Line Work continued on the £7.6 billion modernisation of the West Coast Main Line. Between Preston and Carlisle NORTH EAST East Coast Mainline Renewals work between York and Newcastle Newcastle to Carlisle Major bridge work at Blaydon WEST COUNTRY The West of England line (Reading to Taunton) Switches and crossings work Bristol area Drainage work