Media centre

Monday 6 Feb 2006

WORK TO UPGRADE THE RAILWAY BETWEEN BEDFORD AND BLETCHLEY

Region & Route:

Eastern: Anglia

| Eastern

Network Rail is to carry out major improvement work to the railway line between Bedford and Bletchley.  Once the works are complete, the track condition will be enhanced which will improve reliability, resulting in a more reliable service for passengers in the area.  Work will involve replacing and upgrading nearly 7,000 metres of track, sleepers and ballast and will take place from Monday 13th February up to and including Saturday 19th February. Throughout this period the line will be closed to rail traffic.  Train operator Silverlink Trains will provide a comprehensive bus replacement service that will link all the stations along the line. As part of the work, some 3,000 metres of track will be replaced and upgraded in the Lidlington area. This will result in the closure of the Station Road and Marston Road level crossings to all motor vehicles from 8pm Saturday 11th February until 9am Wednesday 15th February. A clearly sign posted diversionary route will be in place.  Foot access across the level crossings and bridle stiles will still be available.  However prior to crossing pedestrians must contact the duty shift manager who will arrange for an escort.  Contact details will be posted at the crossing points. A new section of track will also be installed at West Bletchley, and the section of line between Bletchley and Newton Longville will be brought back in to service, to enable trains to access a depot at Stewartby.  This will mean that from the 1st April, the line will be in use 24 hours a day, and will be used by approximately five trains per day.  This section of the railway has not been used since the 1980’s and has become somewhat of an eyesore due to illegal flytipping along the embankments behind some residential housing.   The line has also been used as a ‘short cut’ by people to gain access from one side of the embankment to the other.  As well as the safety implications to the operational railway, fly-tipping is a serious health issue.  Rats are frequently attracted to the waste that is dumped, and we have also found items containing hazardous materials that pose a significant risk to public health.  The waste will be cleared and prosecutions will be sought by the British Transport Police, who will be carrying out regular patrols in the area to deter people from fly tipping and trespassing. Notices warning people not to walk on the railway have been posted and additional safety posters will be placed along the embankments, letters will be sent to residents in the area highlighting the dangers of trespassing.