Media centre

Tuesday 10 Jun 2003

MAJOR WORK WILL CUT RISK OF EMBANKMENT SLIPS

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

| Wales & Western

Major embankment clearance work in the Goring area is due to be carried out by Network Rail to cut the risk of landslips on the railway lines which put passengers’ lives at risk. The work will be carried out at weekends and involves the clearance of vegetation along Goring cutting, north west of Reading. There are a number of trees at risk of falling on to the line, which will be felled. Although no landslips have occurred in recent years there is concern that the embankment may be unstable. Once vegetation has been cleared any necessary stabilisation work will be carried out. Where necessary, fencing will also be reinstated. Before work starts alongside the 600m section of track, a strict environmental assessment of the area is carried out by Network Rail’s tree experts and environmental managers in conjunction with conservation experts, who will advise on any native wildlife, protected species and nesting birds. Network Rail also liaises with local authorities to discuss and resolve any issues. The work, due to cost about £120,000, can only be carried out when the lines are closed. Network Rail’s contractor, Alfred McAlpine, will be working at night during the weekends from July 19 until the end of November. However, they will be working to an agreed code of practice, requiring all reasonable measures are taken to control noise and disturbance as far as possible. -more- Goring 2 “It is vital that this work is carried out to ensure the future safety and stability of the cutting at Goring,” said Natasha Luddington, Project Manager. “Unfortunately, this must be carried out when the lines are closed and therefore at night. We will do everything to keep noise and disruption to a minimum and would like to thank the residents in the area for their forbearance while this work is being carried out.”