02.11.18
Network Rail warn of Christmas upgrade disruption to one of UK’s busiest rail junctions
Network Rail has announced winter plans for an £8.2m upgrade to Battersea Pier, one of the UK’s busiest railway junctions, which will cause disruption to passengers across Sussex, Surrey and South London this Christmas.
The plans will see a new track installed at the Battersea Pier junction and will improve the reliability of the line, but it does mean that numerous platforms at stations will close and several services will be rerouted during the busiest part of the Christmas period.
Around 240,000 passengers pass through the junction every day, and more than 56 trains pass through every hour during peak periods.
Network Rail says this just shows how vital this section of the railway is to passengers travelling on Southern and Gatwick Express services, as well as the wider economy.
It says that Southern Rail recently recorded its best punctuality for four years and that this work will continue to improve reliability for the busy route.
During the upgrade work, platforms 9-19 at London Victoria will be closed, no Gatwick Express trains will run, most Southern trains will be rerouted to and from London Bridge and Network Rail has also advised passengers to stay clear of what will be an extremely busy Clapham Junction if possible.
The work will take place between 23 December and 2 January, costing Network Rail £8.2m.
John Halsall, Network Rail’s managing director for the south east, said “this major investment” is part of a much wider programme of works in the wider region.
He said: “The Battersea works are a critical piece of the jigsaw to help us provide the infrastructure passengers deserve, reducing delays and boosting reliability.
“Of course, we know it’s never a good time to close the railway but doing nothing is not an option either.”
He continued: “Not replacing the track at Battersea would risk us experiencing a major fault which could cause huge delays for passengers.
“Doing the work over the Christmas holidays, when the railway is significantly quieter than usual, means we can minimise disruption to passengers.”
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