12.08.15
Stafford re-signalling set for August bank holiday commissioning
Nearly 80 new signals will be installed in the Stafford area over the August bank holiday weekend, improving the reliability of the equipment on this section of the West Coast Main Line.
As part of the £250m Stafford Area Improvements Programme, the work will be carried out from the close of service on Friday 29 August until the first trains on Tuesday 1 September.
It means trains will not be running through Stafford with Virgin Trains, CrossCountry and London Midland services being diverted. Buses will operate between Stoke-on-Trent and Stafford calling at Stone.
The closure of the railway is necessary to complete the re-signalling of the Stafford area which will see 78 modern signals installed – to be controlled from a desk at the Rugby Route Operating Centre (ROC).
This will be the first desk at the ROC to become operational.
Staffordshire Alliance – a partnership of Atkins, Laing O’Rourke, Network Rail and VolkerRail – is delivering the work. The team added that the upgrade will boost the reliability of the equipment on this section of West Coast Main Line and will mean all platforms at Stafford station will be able to accommodate trains in either direction.
Mark Killick, area director for Network Rail, said: “This is vital work will help to deliver regional and national benefits as the demand for passenger and freight services continues to increase on the West Coast Main Line.
“We have carefully planned the work to take place over the August bank holiday weekend when it is traditionally quieter. However we appreciate that it will still cause disruption to passengers and I thank them for their cooperation and patience.
“Working with London Midland, Virgin Trains and CrossCountry, we want to make sure that everyone who plans to travel over the bank holiday is prepared and has made the best choices to help them make their journey.”
There will be further coverage on the Stafford re-signalling works in the August/September edition of RTM.