Media centre

Friday 29 Jul 2016

Rail passengers to enjoy bigger and better service after Paddington improvements

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Western

| Wales & Western

London commuters can look forward to better journeys and new trains from September following the completion of work at Paddington station by Network Rail.

The work is part of Network Rail’s Railway Upgrade Plan to provide a bigger, better, more reliable railway for passengers and businesses.

It involved Platform 14 being extended and electrified as part of the Intercity Express Programme (IEP) which will provide the infrastructure and new trains needed to support growth and improvements on some of Britain’s busiest rail routes.

The new platform is the first one to be electrified at London Paddington for 20 years and allows for the introduction of new Bombardier Class 387 Electrostars onto the railway network as well as new electric trains between Hayes & Harlington and Paddington.

Matthew Steele, Crossrail Programme Director at Network Rail said: “The benefits for passengers will be extremely noticeable and it will provide a safer and more reliable service.

“The work has been extremely complex because of the historical nature of the station and the need for collaboration between Network Rail, Transport for London and Great Western Railway ensured that the project was delivered successfully.

“The new platform has been completed on time marking a large step on the way to the introduction of new electric trains onto the network.”

The electrification work was undertaken by Network Rail’s expert engineers who are also electrifying the lines between Reading and Heathrow junction as part of the Crossrail programme in preparation for Elizabeth Line services in 2018. This is as well as electrifying the Great Western Main Line.

Work on the platform began in November, with its length being extended over Christmas last year. Work has continued this year with the cutting back of the platform canopies and introduction of overhead line equipment and electric wires. Rail lines have also had to be moved along with modifications made to signalling systems.