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Wednesday 18 Feb 2015

Poole level crossing to close over two weekends while rail improvement work takes place

Region & Route:

| Southern: Wessex

| Southern

Network Rail / South West Trains Alliance is about to begin a programme of track renewals in the Poole area, as part of its continued investment in improving the railway.

Over two weekends this winter tracks will be dug up and replaced through the station and town centre, meaning that the level crossing will have to be temporarily closed.

It’s part of a £1m scheme to replace worn-out track through Poole station and across the level crossing.

The footbridge will remain open, giving pedestrians continued access to both halves of Poole High Street. However, this will mean that people who cannot use the bridge – which has steps - will need to take a signposted diversionary route.

The crossing will also be closed to vehicular traffic.

Infrastructure director for the Network Rail / South West Trains Alliance John Halsall said: “Renewing old track is one of the most important ways we can make our railway safer and more reliable. It’s a big job and unfortunately we will have to close the level crossing in Poole while the track over it is replaced. There really is no way to keep it open while the work is done.

“We appreciate that the diversion will mean people who are unable to use the bridge will face a longer journey and we apologise for the inconvenience.

“We are doing the work over the weekend because that is when the railway is at its quietest and trains will not be able to run while the track is replaced.”

The weekends involved are February 28-March 1 and March 7-8. Buses will replace trains on those weekends between Wareham and Bournemouth.