Media centre

Tuesday 3 Jan 2006

NEW YEAR PRESENT FOR RAIL PASSENGERS IN THE SOUTH

Region & Route:

| Southern

On the first working day of the year, there was good news for commuters across the south as Network Rail announced the successful completion of the Woking Junction replacement. Woking junction, on the outskirts of Woking station, was closed for nine days over Christmas to allow £13 million of track improvements to take place. A team of engineers worked around the clock to replace essential track components, ensuring smoother and quieter journeys for passengers, and securing the long-term future of this important stretch of railway. The work was completed on time with the line re-opened to passenger services earlier this morning. Network Rail Route Director David Pape said: “This massive investment will enhance the performance of the railway in the Woking area and bring long-term benefits to passengers across the south. It is a tribute to the hard work and dedication of all parties involved that such a huge project was completed on time, on budget and with minimal disruption to passengers.” South West Trains’ Customer Service Director, Ian Johnston, said: “We are delighted that the work has finished on time meaning our passengers returned to a normal running of services this morning. South West Trains would like to thank passengers for their patience and hope that any disruption which may have been experienced during the period between Christmas and New Year will be outweighed by the long-term benefits." Work on the junction began in the early hours of Christmas Day when the old track was ripped out and more than 7000 tonnes of ballast were replaced. Two huge cranes were then used to lift the new track components into place and other improvements carried out included replacing railway sleepers and installing point-heaters on the track to reduce the problems caused by winter weather. In total, some 16 engineering trains were used to bring the new track, ballast and sleepers to the site. The final stages of the project involved extensive testing of the new track before the line was handed back on time and re-opened to passengers this morning.