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Thursday 7 Aug 2014

Football fans advised to check August rail travel plans

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National

Football fans planning to travel to matches by train in August are being advised to check before they travel as planned improvement work may mean changes to some journeys.

Network Rail and train operators have planned a series of projects during August to upgrade the railway and deliver better journeys for passengers, making use of the quieter summer holiday period.

Over the summer bank holiday weekend (23-25 August), thousands of Network Rail staff and contractors will be working round-the-clock to build new platforms, install new signalling systems, lay new track and improve stations. Also in August, major closures of the railway at Watford and London Bridge will add time to some football fans’ journeys to and from the capital.

Improvement work on the railway is often planned and agreed more than a year in advance, well before sporting fixtures are announced. Since this season’s matches were confirmed, Network Rail and train operators have worked closely with football clubs to make sure they know about the work and its impact on fans.

A Network Rail spokesperson said: “We’re investing tens of millions of pounds in August to build a bigger and better railway. Working over the quieter summer period means that disruption is kept to a minimum, but it will inevitably mean changes to journeys for some football fans.

“We know that many people rely on rail to follow their teams, which is why we have been working closely with football clubs across the country to make sure they’re aware of what we’re doing and can help advise fans of the best way to get to games.”

Fans travelling during August can find out if their journeys are affected by checking with their train operator or heading to www.nationalrail.co.uk/august.

ENDS