Media centre

Friday 8 Dec 2006

TAUNTON - HIGHBRIDGE & BURNHAM RE-OPENS

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

| Southern: Wessex

| Wales & Western

| Southern

There was good news for commuters in the West Country today as Network Rail re-opened the railway between Highbridge & Burnham and Taunton, following the three week closure to renew the railway and improve train performance in the area. As part of Network Rail’s £750 million project to renew the railway between London Paddington and the West Country, miles of track have been renewed between Highbridge & Burnham and Bridgwater. A team of engineers worked around the clock to replace essential track components, which will mean smoother and quicker journeys for passengers, and secure the long term future of this important stretch of railway. Robbie Burns, Network Rail’s Western Route Director, said: “This huge investment will enhance the performance of the railway in the area and bring long-term benefits to passengers across the West Country. “It is a tribute to the hard work and dedication of all parties involved that such a huge project was completed on time and on budget.  We appreciate that this was disruptive for passengers, and we thank them for their patience in allowing us to complete this important work.” Working together in partnership, First Great Western, Virgin CrossCountry and Network Rail have worked to maintain a punctual and reliable alternative service to keep passengers on the move during this essential work. Andrew Griffiths, First Great Western's Regional Manager, said: "Completion of this work means a more reliable railway for customers now and in the future.  We realise that customers were inconvenienced while this major engineering project was carried out and we thank them for their understanding and patience over the last three weeks." Chris Gibb, Virgin CrossCountry’s Managing Director, said: "We are pleased that these major improvement works have been completed on schedule and will now bring significant benefits to our customers." During the works, 6 miles of rail, 26,000 tonnes of ballast, over 14,000 sleepers and 10 points were renewed. The final stages of the project involved extensive testing of the new track before the line was handed back on time and re-opened to passengers this morning.