Media centre

Monday 27 Oct 2014

Residents invited to second drop-in event about the electrification of the railway through Bath

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Western

| Wales & Western

Local residents are invited to find out more about the electrification of the railway through Bath city centre by attending the second in a series of monthly drop-in events.

The event will take place between 4pm and 7.30pm on Monday 3 November at the Guildhall on the High Street in Bath. Representatives from Network Rail and its contractor, Hochtief, as well as train operator First Great Western will be on hand to explain the work being undertaken and to answer any questions.

Network Rail is electrifying the historic Great Western Main Line from London Paddington through to Swansea, with work starting in Bath in 2015. The upgrade will deliver significant benefits for Bath, North East Somerset and the whole of the South West including:

• Faster, quieter, more reliable trains
• Up to 20% more seats on trains, along with better facilities for disabled passengers and passengers with bikes
• Up to 30% less carbon emissions

Robbie Burns, Network Rail’s regional managing director, said: “The benefits of electrification for Bath and the South West region as a whole are considerable. We are working closely with Bath and North East Somerset Council and First Great Western to manage the work carefully and considerately, but there will be some unavoidable disruption to trains through the city while we upgrade the railway. I would encourage residents to come along to our drop-in sessions to find out about the work and the long-term benefits electrification will bring.”

A further drop-in event will take place this year on Tuesday 2 December. Details of this session will be circulated in due course.