Media centre

Thursday 19 May 2005

FULL PROGRAMME OF RAILWAY IMPROVEMENTS SPRINGS INTO ACTION

Region & Route:

| Southern

Taking advantage of the second public holiday in May, Network Rail is investing heavily in a full programme of essential engineering work across East Anglia. The Spring bank holiday weekend will see the completion of engineering tasks which began over the May Day bank holiday, as well as additional improvements to the railway network. Jon Wiseman, Network Rail Route Director said: “The two public holidays in May provide an excellent opportunity for us to carry out some of the larger engineering tasks while minimising disruption to passengers.  Network Rail is committed to rebuilding and enhancing performance on the railway in East Anglia, and a huge amount of investment is going into the work to provide a better service for passengers.”  The biggest project due for completion over the bank holiday weekend is the massive programme of track renewals between Shenfield and Chelmsford on the Great Eastern main line.  Starting in September last year, the £12m scheme has replaced nine miles of track on this heavily used line, culminating in the work at the Chelmsford viaduct on Sunday 29 and Monday 30 May.  Replacement bus services will operate between Shenfield and Witham. Another major task to be completed is the £2.5 million strengthening of Moreton’s Leam bridge near Peterborough. The first stage of work was completed over the May Day bank holiday weekend, and the conclusion of the project will allow trains to run faster between Peterborough and March, improving train performance for passengers.  Painting work will continue for another six weeks approximately. Buses will replace trains between Cambridge and Peterborough from midday on Friday 27 May to the early hours of Wednesday 1 June. Over the same period, two miles of track will be replaced on the West Anglia main line between Ely station and Ely North Junction, where the main line branches off towards Peterborough and Norwich.  The investment of £1.3m will ensure the future reliability of the track at this critical junction, providing long term benefits for passengers using these routes.  In addition to the replacement bus services between Cambridge and Peterborough, further services will operate between Cambridge and Thetford via Ely and between Cambridge and Downham Market on the main line. Further down the same line, on Sunday 29 May only, engineers will carry out track maintenance and foundation work in the Broxbourne area.  Buses will replace trains between Harlow Town and Waltham Cross, and between Enfield Town and Hertford East.   This work will also affect passengers travelling to Stansted Airport, who can make use of a non-stop bus service from London Liverpool Street throughout the day or a bus service from Tottenham Hale, calling at Bishop Stortford. On the East Coast main line on Sunday 29 May only, track and overhead line improvement work will take place in the Stevenage area. Replacement buses will operate between Alexandra Palace and Stevenage via Hertford North.   Jon Wiseman continued: “Large scale engineering work is essential to the future of the railway in East Anglia.  While most of the region enjoys an extended weekend break, hundreds of dedicated railway staff will be out on the track, helping to deliver a better and more reliable railway for passengers.” This work has been specifically programmed around the Spring bank holiday weekend to minimise disruption to commuters and other passengers travelling at peak times.  Half as many people use trains over the holidays compared to normal travel times, on average. The work has been planned in close consultation with train operating companies to ensure passengers can complete their journeys using alternative travel arrangements.  For travel advice, passengers are advised to consult individual train operators or National Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50 or www.nationalrail.co.uk.