Media centre

Wednesday 24 Sep 2014

Public meetings start on Bath rail electrification

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Western

| Wales & Western

Bath residents wanting to find out more about how Network Rail’s work to electrify the railway through the city may affect them are being invited to attend regular drop-in sessions starting next month.

Network Rail is electrifying the historic Great Western Mainline from London Paddington through to Swansea and work reaches Bath soon. The upgrade will deliver significant benefits for Bath and North East Somerset and the whole of the South West.

These include:

• up to 35% less carbon emissions
• up to 20% more seats, along with better facilities for disabled rail users and rail users with bikes
• faster, quieter, more reliable trains

There will be some disruption to services through the city while the work goes on. While Network Rail has worked hard to minimise this, it is important that residents know how the work will affect them, so the company is holding a series of drop-in sessions starting in October.

These general information meetings are open to all and will be held every month for the duration of the works, increasing to fortnightly during the summer of 2015 as works reach their peak.

The meeting dates for the rest of 2014 are:
Wednesday 15^th October
Tuesday 3^rd November
Tuesday 2^nd December

All the drop-ins will be held at the Guildhall and will run from 4pm until 7.30pm. Representatives from Network Rail and their contractor Hochtief, supported by First Great Western, will be on hand to explain the programme and answer queries directly. As the programme approaches specific areas along the line in Bath, we will also be hosting very local drop-ins to update residents on the proposed works and what it will mean for them.

Cllr Paul Crossley, leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council, said: “A fast, efficient and frequent railway connection to London is key to future growth of the economic and visitor economy in Bath. We therefore welcome the plans to electrify the line and introduce new rolling stock.”

 

Robbie Burns, Network Rail’s regional managing director, said: “The benefits of electrification to Bath are considerable, and we are determined to manage the transition with as little upheaval as possible. We’ve worked closely with BANES council and First Great Western to achieve this, and we are confident that the final result will be one which enhances this unique city.”