Media centre

Monday 9 Feb 2004

INDUSTRY WORKS HAND IN HAND TO TACKLE FLOODING AT SWAY

Region & Route:

| Southern: Wessex

| Southern

            Network Rail, South West Trains and Hampshire County Council are working together to tackle the increased risk of flooding on the railway line at Sway.             Flooding at this location dates back to the time when the railway was constructed and has traditionally occurred during periods of extreme weather, every four to five years. Over the past few months the site has flooded more frequently and the industry and the local authority are working together to reduce the risk of flooding to improve services for passengers.             The railway at Sway runs on low lying ground and is prone to seasonal flooding caused by rainwater running off from both fields and the highway during periods of extreme weather.  It is not possible to run services through a flooded area as the lines are electrified and safety would be compromised.             Network Rail and Hampshire County Council have implemented an action plan to reduce the amount of water than runs off the road onto the railway, thus reducing the risk of flooding and delays caused to passengers.              Hampshire County Council are installing higher curbs along the highway to reduce the amount of water running onto the railway.  Network Rail is clearing out a number of ditches to increase their capacity and has installed an emergency pump to clear the line in extreme weather conditions. A full evaluation of current drainage systems is underway to investigate further possible improvements. Phil Dominey, Group Station Manager, South West Trains said: "We have been working with the local authority and Network Rail to make sure that disruption to South West Trains' services caused by flooding is minimised."             Network Rail’s Regional Director, Robin Gisby said, “We are working hard to do all we can to reduce the risk of flooding on the line at Sway. We are confident that these measures will help to reduce delays to services during periods of heavy rainfall ”