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Monday 7 Dec 2015

Residents invited to drop-in event to find out more about electrification of the Great Western Main Line through Pilning

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Western

| Wales & Western

Pilning residents are invited to attend a drop-in event to find out more about the work taking place in their area to prepare the Great Western Main Line for the arrival of a new fleet of electric trains.

The event will take place between 3.30pm and 6.30pm on Thursday, December 17 at the Mafeking Hall, Redwick Road, Pilning. Members of the Network Rail project team will be on hand throughout to explain the plans and to answer any questions.

The work forms part of Network Rail’s Railway Upgrade Plan and involves the installation of electrification equipment along the three miles of railway line from Cattybrook to the portal of the Severn Tunnel, to power the new fleet of longer, faster, quieter and greener electric trains.

To install the overhead electrification lines, a process known as piling takes place. Piling involves inserting hollow, steel tubes several metres into the ground to support the overhead gantries that contain the electrification wires. These wires are essential to power the new fleet of electric trains to run underneath.

Andrew Haynes, Network Rail’s project director for the west of England, said: “We care about all our neighbours and do everything we can to limit the disruption that can be caused by ‘piling’, but it is a noisy process. That’s why we aim to give our neighbours as much notice as possible.

“Piling is essential to pave the way for the long-term benefits that electrification will bring. These include faster trains with more seats and more legroom, benefitting passengers and helping to drive economic growth across the south west, and less noise and pollution for those who live close to the railway.

“All are welcome at the drop-in and I’d urge anyone who wants to know more about our work, or has a question they’d like answered, to come along and find out about how we're modernising the region’s railway.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

About the Great Western Electrification Programme

Electrification will transform the railway between London and Oxford, Newbury, Bristol and Cardiff to deliver a faster, greener, quieter and more reliable railway for passengers, with extra capacity. Electrifying this part of the Great Western route will enhance 235 miles of one of Britain’s busiest and oldest railways, better connecting major towns and cities across southern England and South Wales. This investment, as well as the introduction of a fleet of new trains, will improve journey times and make services more comfortable, smoother, cleaner and quieter for passengers and people living near the railway.

For more information about the Great Western Electrification Programme, visit: http://www.networkrail.co.uk/great-western-route-modernisation/