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Friday 24 Jan 2025

Train services resume as Westbury rail upgrades complete

Region & Route:

Wales & Western: Western

| Wales & Western

Train services through Westbury in Wiltshire have returned to normal today following four weeks of round-the-clock track and signalling upgrades.

The railway junction to the south of Westbury station has been fully replaced, enabling the continued safe and reliable running of the railway for years to come. The teams laid 212 new pieces of track and replaced 1,700 tonnes of ballast (track stone), working through wind, rain and snow​.

With Westbury station closed since Christmas Eve, Network Rail also took the opportunity to repair the storm-damaged platform canopy roof, while Great Western Railway completed refurbishments to the station waiting rooms, toilets and staff accommodation.

Further south, teams successfully completed strengthening work on Sherrington viaduct, which spans the river Wylye.

Passengers are advised to check before they travel when planned follow-up work takes place on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 February, plus Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 March. This includes minor work on the junction to the north of Westbury, as well as track replacement at nearby Hawkeridge.

Network Rail programme director Ross Mahoney said: “Four weeks is a long time to have the railway out of action, but we have completed an extensive overhaul of this critical junction. This work will improve reliability and reduce delays for passenger and freight services.

"The scale of the job we’ve completed is not to be underestimated. With up to 150 people out working on it through all kinds of weather – including over the Christmas period – I’d like to personally thank everyone who has made this important renewal such a success.”

GWR station manager Jordan Welsby said: "This vitally important work will ensure the continued safe and reliable use of this key part of our network for years to come.

"As well as the maintenance of the infrastructure which Network Rail provide to us, we have also taken the opportunity to make some station improvements, and we are really grateful for customers' patience during this period."

For more information about the work completed, see Network Rail’s dedicated web page: www.networkrail.co.uk/westbury