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Tuesday 17 Nov 2015

Residents invited to drop-in event to find out more about the reconstruction of Boundary Road bridge in Newbury

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Western

| Wales & Western

Residents are invited to attend a drop-in event to find out more about Network Rail’s plans to reconstruct Boundary Road bridge in Newbury in preparation for the arrival of a new fleet of electric trains.

The event will take place between 2pm and 6pm on Monday, 23 November in the function room of The Old London Apprentice public house on Hambridge Road in Newbury. Members of the Network Rail project team will be on hand throughout to explain the plans and to answer any questions.

The reconstruction of this bridge forms part of Network Rail’s Railway Upgrade Plan and will create the additional space needed for the overhead lines that will power a new fleet of longer, faster, quieter and greener electric trains to run underneath.

The reconstruction will also involve Network Rail’s ‘orange army’ making long-term improvements to the bridge by creating an additional lane, enabling better traffic flow and helping to ease congestion in the area.

To minimise disruption for the local community, the new bridge will be built off site meaning a shorter road closure than would have been required if the bridge was reconstructed on site.

Graeme Tandy, Network Rail’s route delivery director, said: “We are very aware this bridge is on a key commuter route into Newbury and so we are continuing to work closely with West Berkshire Council to ensure this essential upgrade is completed as quickly as possible and the end result is a new and improved version of the existing bridge.

“Once completed, residents will be a step closer to the benefits that electrification and the new electric trains will bring. These include faster trains with more seats and more legroom, benefitting passengers and helping to drive economic growth across the Thames Valley; 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.”

Work on Boundary Road bridge will start on 11 January 2016 and is due to be completed by the end of January 2017. During this time the bridge and nearby Railway Road will be closed to motorists, with diversion routes in place, but will remain open for pedestrians and cyclists.

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/