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Monday 3 Jun 2019

Gloucester residents invited to drop-in event to find out more about station track replacement work

Region & Route:

Wales & Western: Western

| Wales & Western

Residents living in Gloucester have been invited to a drop-in event to find out more about upcoming work to replace track at the city’s station as part of Network Rail’s Railway Upgrade Plan to provide a bigger, better, more reliable railway for passengers.

Network Rail is carrying out essential work to renew worn-out track at the junction at the west end of the station. Improvements will also be made to platforms 2,3 and 4.

The work, which takes place between Sunday 21 July and Saturday 27 July will involve:

• Cutting up and removing old track.

• Digging out a layer of the old ballast (the stones that keep the track stable).
• Laying new track, with sections lifted in by crane.
• Laying additional ballast and packing it under the track, using a train known as a tamper.
• Follow-up work in August and September to ensure the new track is correctly aligned.
• Adjusting the platform edges and some resurfacing work.

The level crossing at Horton Road will be closed from 11.40pm on Saturday 20 July to 6.00am on Saturday 27 July, so that the work can be carried out safely. Signed diversion routes will be in place for pedestrians and motorists.

During the closure, Network Rail will provide a minibus service from one side of the crossing to the other, which will also stop at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital. The aim is to provide a minibus every 20 minutes, although this will depend on traffic conditions.

Scheme project manager Joseph Okorare said: “The work at Gloucester station is an essential part of our Railway Upgrade Plan and will improve performance and reliability for passengers. We would like to thank the local community for bearing with us while we carry out these improvements.

“Everyone is welcome at our drop-in event and I’d urge anyone who has a question or wants to know more about our plans to come along.”

The event will take place on Thursday 6 June at Colwell Arts Centre, Derby Road, Gloucester, from 4.30pm to 7.00pm.

Members of the Network Rail project team will be on-hand throughout the event to explain more about the work taking place and to answer any questions.

No trains will be able to call at Gloucester on Sunday 21 and Monday 22 July.  There will be changes to services from Tuesday 23 to Friday 26 July inclusive, with some trains calling at Gloucester.