08.02.18
Bristol stations will experience Easter disruption as NR completes £130m signalling upgrade
Network Rail has warned that train services around Bristol are likely to suffer from disruption over Easter while engineers complete its “biggest ever signalling upgrade.”
For five days between Good Friday and 3 April, bus replacement will be in operation on at local stations, with trains from London Paddington terminating early at Bath Spa.
Part of the Railway Upgrade Plan, the £130m update is expected to improve the speed and reliability of travel in and out of Bristol, alongside work later this year to double the tracks along the Filton Bank area.
Tony Lamb, senior sponsor for the project at Network Rail said the upgrade was part of a “huge effort” by the infrastructure manager to improve services in the area.
“Once complete, along with Filton Four Tracking at the end of this year, rail journeys in Bristol will be transformed with more seats, quicker journeys and more services,” he commented.
“I would like to thank everyone who helped us get to this stage and also passengers who have remained patient with us throughout the upgrade.”
Network Rail explained that this signalling upgrade was possible because of a months’ worth of work delivered over the Christmas period, including installation of 30km of cable, upgrades to signalling gantries, 124 signal tests and axle counter upgrades.
Rob Mullen, operations director at GWR, said the work was “vital” to aid with the introduction of the operator’s new Intercity Express fleet.
He explained: “This work is vital for GWR to be able to continue to deliver the full benefits our new Intercity Express Train fleet is bringing, including seven trains an hour between London and Bristol and quicker journey times – further supporting Bristol and its economy.”
GWR experienced some early issues in the introduction of its new stock – scheduled to replace 40-year-old High Speed Trains beginning in late 2017.
A disastrous first journey saw software failures and a broken air conditioning unit which dripped water onto passengers, although the problems have now been dealt with.
Bus replacement will affect all trains between Bristol Temple Meads, Patchway, Bristol Parkway, Bath Spa and Weston-super-Mare, while services on the Severn Beach line will also be altered.
Top image: Network Rail
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