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Wednesday 20 Oct 2004

REMINDER: LINE CLOSURE STARTS THIS WEEKEND

Region & Route:

| Southern

Essential work to replace track equipment at Willesden Junction will take place between Saturday 23 October and Sunday 31 October 2004 (inclusive).  The crucial work will require the railway to be closed for nine days between Queen’s Park and Stonebridge Park.  This will affect Silverlink Metro passengers travelling in and out of London Euston and London Underground passengers using the northern end of the Bakerloo line.  Silverlink County and Virgin train services from Euston will not be affected. Network Rail is investing £3.5 million into the work at Willesden Junction, on this busy commuter route into London.  The nine-day closure will see several complex railway crossovers replaced, which will result in smoother, faster and more reliable journeys for passengers.  Engineers will also be taking the opportunity to carry out other essential maintenance and renewals work on the line. Robbie Burns, Network Rail Route Director, said: “This project is essential to the safe and reliable operation of this busy stretch of railway out of London Euston.  Our engineers will be working around the clock to get this complex work done as quickly and efficiently as possible. “The work schedule has been carefully planned to coincide with the autumn school holidays, when less people will be using the route.  We have worked closely with Silverlink and London Underground to ensure detailed travel alternatives are available to keep disruption to a minimum while this crucial work is carried out.” Details of alternative travel arrangements and amended timetables are available at stations along the route and also published on www.silverlink-trains.com and www.tube.tfl.gov.uk. Alternative arrangements for Silverlink Metro passengers: ** Silverlink Metro trains will not run between Queen’s Park and Stonebridge Park ** ·         Rail shuttle service between Euston and Queen’s Park every 20 minutes ·         Replacement bus service between Queen’s Park and Stonebridge Park ·         Rail shuttle service between Stonebridge Park and Watford every x minutes ·         Some Silverlink County mainline services into and out of London Euston will make extra stops at Wembley Central, Harrow & Wealdstone, Bushey and Watford Junction. ·         Valid tickets will be accepted on alternative London Underground routes Alternative arrangements for Bakerloo Line passengers: ** Bakerloo line trains will not run north of Queen’s Park ** ·         Replacement bus service between Queen’s Park and Stonebridge Park ·         Valid tickets will be accepted on Silverlink Metro services between Stonebridge Park and Harrow & Wealdstone ·         Valid tickets will be accepted on local bus services between Queen’s Park and Harrow & Wealdstone For further travel advice, please contact National Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50 or London Travel Information on 020 7222 1234.