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Monday 24 Aug 2015

‘Orange army’ enters final week of work to prepare Bath’s railway line for electrification

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Western

| Wales & Western

Network Rail’s ‘orange army’ has entered the final and most critical stage of its work to prepare Bath’s railway line for electrification, with all work currently on schedule for the line to reopen on September 1.

After completing the installation of 11 new switches and crossings – which allow trains to move from one track to another – at Bathampton Junction, the team has started work to lower the track through the picturesque Sydney Gardens. Work also continues between Middle Hill Tunnel and Box Tunnel to lower the main line that runs from London Paddington towards the South West.

Once the 10km of track lowering through Bath and its surrounding area is complete, it will provide the additional headroom needed for the overhead electrification lines that will be installed next year. These lines will power the new fleet of longer, faster, quieter and greener electric trains to run underneath.

Andy Haynes, Network Rail’s project director for the west of England, said: “This is the biggest project Network Rail has completed to date and the biggest project on the Western route for 40 years.

“Work is progressing well and remains on schedule, but the last few days are always the most critical. This is why we have contingency plans in place to ensure we remain in the best possible position to hand back the line to passengers and freight services on September 1.”

To explain more about the improvement work taking place in Sydney Gardens and to answer any questions the public may have, members of the Network Rail project team will be holding a drop-in session on Tuesday August 25 from 1.30pm to 4pm in Sydney Gardens, between the railway and The Holburne Museum.

Andy continued: “We understand that Sydney Gardens is a sensitive area, which is why we are taking great care to preserve its unique character while progressing our work to modernise and significantly improve Brunel’s railway.

“As is the case throughout Bath, we have opted for track lowering so we can preserve the city’s historic architecture, while paving the way for the new electric train. These trains will provide passengers with more seats, more legroom and faster journeys, while significantly reducing noise and pollution for those who live close to the railway line.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

Further travel information for during the Bath work can be found by visiting First Great Western’s website www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk. Alternatively, National Rail Enquiries also has up-to-date travel advice on their website www.nationalrail.co.uk.

For the latest information on the Bath electrification work, follow our Twitter account @networkrailgwrm.