Thursday 9 Aug 2018
Residents are invited to find out more about the final stages of electrification work near Bristol Parkway
- Region & Route:
- Wales & Western: Western
- | Wales & Western
Network Rail will be holding a drop-in event to answer any questions residents may have about the electrification of the line between London Paddington and Bristol Parkway at a drop-in event at Stoke Gifford.
The event will take place between 16:30 and 19:30 on Thursday, 16 August at the St Michael Centre, The Green, Stoke Gifford. Network Rail representatives will be on hand to explain the plans and answer any questions.
The railway through Bristol Parkway will be closed between 15 September and 6 October inclusive, and again on the weekend of 13-14 October. No trains will run via Bristol Parkway during these periods.
The upgrade includes the installation of the overhead line equipment (OLE) used to hold the wires for electrification, and we will be putting up masts and wires over those three weeks in the Bristol Parkway area, from Winterbourne viaduct, through Bristol Parkway station, up to Little Stoke, and then along the Filton East Curve.
Over these three weeks we’ll also be testing the overhead line equipment already installed between Royal Wootton Bassett and Winterbourne viaduct.
During these three weeks, trains will still be running using diversionary routes. Rail replacement bus and coach services will be in place for some journeys.
The three-week closure follows similar upgrade work last year, which included building a fourth platform at Bristol Parkway, extending the existing three platforms, and upgrading the track layout in the Parkway area to improve reliability and increase capacity. These upgrades will enable passengers to experience the benefits of Great Western Railway’s (GWR) new fleet of electric trains, including more frequent services and reduced journey times.
Network Rail’s major programmes director David Buisson said “The upgrade in the Bristol Parkway area is vital as we continue to deliver electrification and a more reliable railway for our passengers.
I would like to express my thanks and gratitude to the residents living near the railway and to our passengers for their patience and understanding during this period when we have undertaken modernisation work which forms part of our Railway Upgrade Plan – it is truly appreciated”.
Passengers are advised to check before travelling during the upgrade work by visiting the National Rail Enquiries website, or by checking with the train operator directly using the following links :-
www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/bristol2018
To find out more about the upgrade work in the Bristol area please visit
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