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Wednesday 15 Jun 2005

UNVEILED: NEW HOME FOR MARCH MAINTENANCE TEAMS

Region & Route:

| Southern

Network Rail maintenance workers in March were celebrating last week when their new depot in Station Road, March was officially opened by their longest serving member of staff. The March maintenance depot, formerly occupied by Grant Rail, offered an ideal relocation opportunity for Network Rail maintenance employees, who had been based in less than ideal portakabin-style premises behind March station for more than 40 years. Chris Cridford, Network Rail’s Maintenance Delivery Manager, said: “Our maintenance teams in March play a critical role in maintaining the railway in this part of the country so it is vital that we provide them with the best possible facilities. This new depot is a first-class resource and it is fantastic to finally have the whole team under one roof, working together to build a better railway for East Anglia.” The new depot was officially opened on Thursday 2 June by Terry Sproston – a railwayman of some 40 years and the longest serving member of the depot. Terry unveiled a commemorative plaque to mark the occasion and was joined by his maintenance colleagues to celebrate their new home. Network Rail took ownership of the premises in April 2005 and gave it a lick of paint, before moving in a total of 36 maintenance workers including P-way staff, level crossing engineers, signalling staff and welders. The new depot boasts a range of office space with full telephone and internet access, as well as shower rooms, break areas and two kitchens. Chris Cridford added: “The new depot is a far cry from the old portakabins the team had become accustomed to. The staff are delighted with their new home - one of the workers has even likened the move to “trading in a Ford Escort for a BMW”!!”