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Friday 7 Mar 2008

RENEWING THE RAILWAY AT CLAPHAM JUNCTION THIS EASTER

Region & Route:

| Southern: Wessex

| Southern

Network Rail will be delivering essential improvement work to renew the railway at Clapham Junction this Easter. A £3 million investment will see vital track and components replaced at the station in work that will improve the performance and the reliability of passenger services. Track layouts will be lifted out and replaced by crane on the main lines through the station as part of the four-day project which will see engineers working around-the-clock to improve the railway. Work will take place throughout the Easter weekend and will affect South West Trains services to and from London Waterloo owing to the closure of the lines between Clapham Junction and Wimbledon. Nick Dorey, South West Trains’ Acting Operations Director, said: “We are sorry for any disruption caused to passengers during this period but rest assured we will do everything in our power to get our passengers to their destinations. We strongly advise passengers to check their journey details before travelling.” The work will be taking place from Good Friday 21 to Easter Monday 24 March. For full details of changes to services please ask at stations or visit the website. The following changes will apply:

• Mainline services will be diverted between Woking and Clapham Junction
• A reduced frequency will operate on most mainline routes to/from London Waterloo on Friday, Saturday and Monday. Similar diversions will also apply on Sunday
• A 10-minute frequency will operate from Wimbledon to London Waterloo via East Putney
• Other services will terminate at Wimbledon or Surbiton
• Earlsfield will be served by a special bus service which will operate between Clapham Junction and Earlsfield
• There will be a reduced frequency to all services on the Richmond, Twickenham, and Hounslow lines

David Pape, Network Rail Route Director, said: “We have been working hard to plan and prepare for this project, which will lead to a more reliable railway and a better service for passengers. Clapham Junction is a vital and busy part of the network and while this means that more passengers will experience these benefits, we would also advise people to check their plans prior to travelling.” Passengers can keep up to date with changes to services during this period by visiting www.nationalrail.co.uk or www.southwesttrains.co.uk or by telephoning National Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50 to check the times of services before travelling.