Monday 14 Apr 2014
Rochester's new station takes to the air
- Region & Route:
- | Southern
A crucial part of Rochester’s new station will be slid almost 40 metres on a bed of air this Easter as part of a £147m scheme to improve the railway through the Medway Towns.
The underpass will provide a public link between Corporation Street, Rochester and the river Medway, as well as access to the new station's platforms.
A hole will need to be cut into the railway embankment for the pre-constructed underpass to be slotted into place. As a result no trains will run through the Medway Towns over Easter, with a full bus service being provided between Meopham and Gillingham.
Network Rail’s head of communications for London and the South East, Nicky Hughes, said: “The work we are doing at Rochester will result in a fantastic new station and a more reliable railway – however we also realise that the disruption will not be welcome for passengers travelling over Easter. We have to do the work when the railway is less busy, and Easter gives us four full days and nights where we can undertake big engineering projects while affecting the least passengers.
“We appreciate people’s patience while we do the work and look forward to delivering their new station next year.”
Michelle Ulyatt, customer relations manager at Southeastern said: “The work taking place at Rochester this Easter is the latest in a programme of improvements that will bring long-term benefits to passengers in terms of better stations and more reliable infrastructure.
“If your journey will take you through the Medway area over the Easter weekend please check before you travel for full details of the alternative arrangements we’ve put in place to help ensure your journey goes without a hitch.”
The underpass will be put on air-jacks, which will then be pumped full of compressed nitrogen. After rising up on a nitrogen cushion, like a hovercraft, the concrete box will be pushed along tracks and into final position.
For travel information please go to www.nationalrail.co.uk or www.southeasternrailway.co.uk
Notes to editors
Journalists are invited to attend the site office off Cory Street at 1400 on Saturday, April 19, to watch the slide begin. Interviews will be available on the day.
Please RSVP to the Network Rail press office on 020 3356 8700.
Contact information
Passengers / community members
Network Rail national helpline
03457 11 41 41
Latest travel advice
Please visit National Rail Enquiries
Journalists
Network Rail press office - South East route
020 3357 7969
southeastroutecomms@networkrail.co.uk
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