Media centre

Friday 5 Sep 2003

MAJOR TRACK RENEWAL FOR GLOUCESTER

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

| Wales & Western: Western

| Wales & Western

The biggest points renewal project in the Great Western region for more than 30 years is being carried out at Gloucester as part of Network Rail’s programme to rebuild the railway. All the points and track to the east of Gloucester Station are in the process of being renewed. Redundant sidings are also being removed and others remodelled. The project started in June and there has been no impact on train services to date.  However, to enable its completion, two track closures will be necessary, during which time there will be alterations to services into and out of Gloucester station. Most lines will be closed from November 8 to 16 inclusive, and December 8 to 14, reopening on the morning of December 15. John Curley, Network Rail’s Regional Director said:  “Network Rail’s focus is delivering tangible and sustainable performance improvements.  This is a major project – part of our commitment to providing a safe and reliable railway – which will bring long-term benefits for rail travellers.” Work carried out to replace 30 switches and crossings (points) and track – all more than 40 years old – will result in the removal of a 20mph temporary speed restriction on the section of track which joins Gloucester station to the main line heading south to Bristol and restoring the speed limit to 40mph. The track which bypasses the station has a current speed limit of 60mph but renewal will make it possible for this to increase to 100mph in the future. -more- Track 2 Network Rail and its contract partner Carillion, which is carrying out the work, has liaised closely with train operating companies, residents and other groups in the area who will be affected.             During the station closures in November and December it will also be necessary to close the Horton Road level crossing and set up a diversion for vehicles. Local authorities have been consulted over this.             John Curley added: “ Although we regret the inconvenience caused as a result of these two closures, they enable us to concentrate the work into a relatively small time frame rather than having to disrupt people further through shorter, but an increased number of closures.”             The train operating companies are currently finalising plans for service alterations and these will be published soon.