Media centre

Tuesday 31 Aug 2004

GREAT WESTERN MAIN LINE RE-OPENS FOR PASSENGERS

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Western

| Wales & Western

| Southern

The railway line between Paddington and Reading was re-opened to passengers first thing this morning, following the successful completion of an £8 million programme of engineering work to install 14 new sets of points on the Great Western Main Line, either side of Slough. John Curley, Network Rail Route Director, said: “We would like to thank passengers for bearing with us while this essential work was carried out.  Our engineers have been hard at work over the last ten days to get the job done, and successfully handed the line back for passengers this morning.  Network Rail is committed to providing a safe and reliable railway, and the investment we have made in this busy route will help us to achieve this.” A team of between 100 and 150 Network Rail engineers worked around-the-clock during the ten day closure of parts of the Great Western Main Line.  The project saw the successful renewal of 14 sets of crucial points, as well as around half a mile of track and 3000 tonnes of ballast.  Network Rail worked closely with train operators, First Great Western and First Great Western Link, to ensure that passengers were provided with adequate travel alternatives during the closure.  A bus replacement service was in operation throughout the closure, or passengers could make use of enhanced South West Trains services from Reading to London Waterloo.  A special coach service was also laid on between Reading and London Paddington to cater for visitors to the Reading festival.