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Wednesday 23 Nov 2016

Residents invited to find out more about railway upgrade work at Bristol Parkway station

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Western

| Wales & Western

Residents living near Bristol Parkway station have been invited to a drop-in event to find out more about upcoming work to prepare the Great Western Main Line for electrification as part of Network Rail’s Railway Upgrade Plan to provide a bigger, better, more reliable railway for passengers.

Network Rail is carrying out essential work in and around the station to accommodate the new fleet of faster, greener electric trains, which will provide more seats and more room for passengers.

In addition, improvements to the signalling system will replace equipment installed in the 1960s and 70s with the latest technology, paving the way for a more reliable railway and fewer delays for passengers.

The station will remain open for the majority of the project which is due to start in late December 2016, with completion in 2018. In order to keep disruption to train services to a minimum, much of the work will take place overnight and at weekends.

The work includes:

• Stabilising the embankment next to the Filton Line
• Installing the foundations for the overhead line equipment that will power the new trains
• Installing the overhead line equipment, including masts, booms and wires
• Building a fourth platform and extending the existing platforms
• Track works, including renewal of 2.5km of railway line
• Repairs and track level works at Bristol Road bridge

Ross Liddell, Network Rail’s sponsor for Bristol Parkway station, said: “The work at Bristol Parkway station is an essential part of our Railway Upgrade Plan and will pave the way for electric trains and the benefits these will bring to residents and passengers. These benefits include faster trains with more seats and more legroom, and less noise and air pollution for those who live close to the railway line.”

Ken Forshaw, Network Rail’s project manager for the station, said: “I’d like to thank the local community in advance for their patience and understanding while we carry out these essential improvements to modernise Brunel’s railway.

“Everyone is welcome at our drop-in event and I’d urge anyone who has a question or wants to know more about our plans to come along.”

The event will take place on Tuesday, 29 November 2016 at St Michael’s Centre, North Road, Stoke Gifford, Bristol BS34 8PD, from 4.30pm to 7.30pm.

Members of the Network Rail project team will be on-hand throughout the event to explain more about the work taking place and to answer any questions.

ENDS