Media centre

Thursday 19 Aug 2004

THE REBUILDING OF THE RAILWAY CONTINUES WITH A PROGRAMME OF ENGINEERING WORK OVER AUGUST BANK HOLIDAY

Region & Route:

| Southern

A substantial and vital programme of engineering work was outlined today for the August bank holiday that will continue the task of rebuilding a better performing, more efficient railway.  The work programme will take advantage of the low numbers of passengers using the railway over the bank holiday - one million less than a normal long weekend.  Andrew Munden, Network Rail Route Director, said: “Network Rail is continuing its task of rebuilding the railway as it carries out a large amount of work this bank holiday.  Whilst for most people it is a weekend of rest, thousands of track workers will be working hard over the long weekend to upgrade and maintain the railway and bring real and tangible improvements to all who use the rail network.” The majority of work has been specifically programmed to ensure that peak travel periods remain unaffected, and one million less passengers will be inconvenienced than if this work had been scheduled over a ‘normal’ Saturday to Monday period.  Where it has been necessary to carry out work over the entire holiday period, this has been planned months in advance to ensure alternative travel arrangements are in place and rail users have been given weeks of advance notice. Mr Munden continued: “These windows of opportunity are essential to the continued maintenance and renewal needed on the rail infrastructure in the South.  During these times, however, we will be doing our utmost to ensure disruption to passengers and those living beside the railway is kept to a minimum.” - more - August - 2 Details of engineering work involving line closures over the bank holiday period in Southern England are detailed below:  ·                    Wimbledon to Sutton - £7.5million track renewals Saturday 28 August – Monday 30 August: a revised timetable will be in operation with buses replacing trains between Wimbledon and Sutton.  Thameslink tickets will also be accepted on Southern (railway) trains from Carshalton, Hackbridge and Mitcham Junction.  Work started on Saturday 7 August and in total ten miles of track, 7,000 sleepers and 38,500 tonnes of ballast will be replaced. ·                    Great Western Main Line - £8million renewal of points at Slough Saturday 28 August – Monday 30 August: no direct trains will be running between Paddington and Slough, but passengers will be able to travel to Paddington via a stopping service and intermittent buses.  Alternatively, passengers heading for London can change at Reading onto South West Trains services into London Waterloo, which will be doubled in frequency.   Visitors to the Reading Festival will also benefit from a late night coach service from Reading to London.  The major engineering project, starting on 21 August, will renew 14 sets of points either side of Slough. ·                    Elm Road level crossing work – Norbiton For just 12 hours on Sunday 29 August (00.25-12.20), the railway will be closed between Surbiton and Kingston whilst engineers replace Elm Road level crossing surface.  A local road diversion will be in place and buses will replace trains. ·                    Bickley to Petts Wood – maintenance work Although not causing any disruption to passengers, maintenance work will be taking place between Bickley and Petts Wood where there are a series of complex and important junctions.  Railway engineers will be on site all day bank holiday Sunday ensuring that the crucial infrastructure is in good performing order. Full alternative travel arrangements can be obtained by calling National Rail Enquiries (08457 48 49 50) or logging on to www.nationalrail.co.uk