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• £14.5m package of work carried out at 21 different locations to prepare tracks, infrastructure and stations for new railway that will be known as the Elizabeth line
• Network Rail works around the clock as part of huge programme of works
• A selection of images of the early May bank holiday works is available to download from the image library

Network Rail has begun essential preparations for a brand new fleet of faster, greener and quieter electric trains with the temporary closure of a Newport City Centre road bridge, to make headroom for the new trains.

Commuters returned to work today on a better, more reliable railway after Network Rail engineers completed vital improvement works on the West Coast Main Line over the bank holiday weekend.

The railway line between Farnham and Alton has been re-opened earlier than anticipated thanks to round-the-clock working by Network Rail’s orange army, during another busy Bank Holiday weekend for its railway engineers.

Passengers and residents in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, will soon benefit from a more reliable level crossing on Alstone Lane as Network Rail prepares to carry out a full renewal of the crossing’s equipment.

Britain’s commuters returned to work today on a better, more reliable railway thanks to the efforts of Network Rail’s orange army, who worked round-the-clock to improve the network over the bank holiday weekend.

Network Rail and Great Western Railway thanked passengers and lineside neighbours today for their patience following the completion, on time, of railway improvement work in the south west and Thames Valley.

Britain’s commuters returned to work today on a better, more reliable railway thanks to the efforts of Network Rail’s orange army, who worked round-the-clock to improve the network over the bank holiday weekend.