01.09.16
Gospel Oak to Barking railway set for six-month upgrade closure
The Gospel Oak to Barking Line will close completely for six months from 24 September to allow for an ambitious programme of upgrades.
The upgrades will mean that the fleet of two-car diesel trains currently used on the route will be replaced by four-car electric trains, built by Bombardier, from January 2018.
The South Tottenham to Barking line has been closed since 4 June to allow for the upgrades, which include lowering four major sections of track, installing structures to carry the overhead wires and rebuilding four bridges. It is due to reopen on 25 September.
Network Rail’s route managing director, Richard Schofield, said: “This upgrade will have huge benefits to passengers and neighbours. It will enable longer, quieter and cleaner trains to run.
“However, to achieve this we need more space under bridges to fit electrification equipment. In some locations this requires us to lower the track. The nature of this work is noisy and I would like to thank those living near the railway for their continued patience.”
Replacement bus services will be provided, and customers travelling between South Tottenham and Walthamstow Queen’s Road stations can use the Victoria Line.
Regular pay as you go users of the Gospel Oak to Barking Line will be automatically refunded the additional cost of travel via Zone 1 by Tube or rail.
Transport for London staff will hold drop-in sessions at stations along the route from next week in order to answer passengers’ questions.
Mike Stubbs, TfL’s director of London Overground, said: “We, along with Network Rail, will be holding drop-in sessions at stations along the route to ensure that customers are well informed and can plan their alternative journeys.
“We would like to thank our customers for their patience while this essential work takes place. The work being carried out by Network Rail will enable us to run new longer walk-through trains on the line from January 2018, which will double capacity on the route.”
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