03.01.08
Engineering works overrun
West Coast
Network Rail has confirmed that works to reopen the West Coast at Rugby are continuing and the route will now not reopen on Thursday, 3 January.
The critical issue is a shortage of specialist engineering and contractor staff necessary to rebuild the overhead electrification. Network Rail has brought in additional manpower from across the country to get the project completed and we continue to work flat out to restore a full service as soon as possible.
The replacement coach service that has been running since the 27th December between Northampton and Birmingham International will remain in place.
Liverpool Street
Liverpool Street station and services were due to re-open first thing on Wednesday 2nd January. However, again, the issue has been a shortage of some critical specialist staff, resulting in a delay.
Robin Gisby Network Rail Director of Operations and Customer Services said: “We are extremely sorry for the continued disruption to passengers, which is down to the shortage of some critical resources and which will lead to a thorough and urgent investigation. We are working around the clock to restore services as soon as possible and apologise for the unacceptable delays while this work is completed.”
Over the Christmas and New Year period Network Rail carried out 35 major schemes (valued at £1m upwards). Thirty-three of these were completed successfully and on time, including:
§ £10m track & signalling work at Edinburgh Waverley
§ £14m signalling at Wakefield
§ £15m track work at Airport Junction (London)
§ £10m to upgrade the Shugborough Viaduct (West Coast)
§ Investment to double the track between Gretna and Annan
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