Media centre

Monday 12 Jan 2004

MAJOR UPGRADE WORK TO START ON STROOD AND HIGHAM TUNNELS A REMINDER FOR PASSENGERS

Region & Route:

| Southern

Major upgrade work will begin on Strood and Higham tunnels the 17 January 2004 allowing the line speed to return to 70 mph and South Eastern Trains to offer a better service for passengers. As a result, the tunnels will be closed from 17 January 2004 for 12 months. Speed restrictions have been in place since December 1999, following a chalk fall, to ensure services running through the tunnels remain safe. Network Rail has evaluated the available options and will be carrying out an extensive project to reinforce those sections of tunnel that are currently unlined by using steel support arches and concrete lining.  Additional work, including the installation of a new drainage system to protect the line from rising water levels from the Thames and Medway Rivers and a complete renewal of the tracks, will also be undertaken to prevent any future disruptions to services through the tunnel.             This project spans over 3.5km of tunnel and track and is the longest tunnel relining project to be undertaken on Britain’s railway in recent times.             One obvious downside to this will be the need to close the tunnel while work is being done. This means that the tunnel will be closed from the 17 January for a period of 12 months. Whilst both Higham and Strood stations will remain open, there will be no train services running between the two. Instead, there will be a replacement bus service operating throughout this time. While the long-term benefits are clear, we know the closure will create short-term frustrations and Network Strood - 3 Rail and South Eastern Trains are working closely together to keep disruption for passengers and local residents to a minimum.             The local community, stakeholders and passengers have been kept informed of our plans and we will continue to communicate throughout the project. Robin Gisby, Regional Director, Network Rail said, “Tthis work forms part of Network Rail’s commitment to rebuild BritainsBritain’s railways and will bring significant long term benefits to Kent passengers. On completion of the work will allow us to remove the the current speed restriction will be removed and return the line speed will return to 70 mph giving passengers the service they rightly deserve.” Michael Holden, Managing Director, South Eastern Trains added, "We're delighted that the engineering work has finally been given the go ahead because o”Our passengers have had to put up with slower journeys and unplanned closures for a long time and we’re pleased this engineering work will finally be going ahead, as it will guarantee a more reliable train service on this line in the future.  Throughout next year we will try our best to keep disruption to a minimum while the work is going on but realise that many passengers will face lengthened journey times.”, but feel sure passengers will understand that the inconvenience will guarantee a more reliable train service on this line for future generations of rail travellers."