14.08.13
‘Significant improvements’ for SWT capacity
Capacity could be increased by 15% by 2019 on the South West Trains network, the SWT/Network Rail alliance has announced.
Plans include 135 extra carriages for suburban routes, as well as infrastructure improvements; platform extensions and re-openings, and signalling, track and power supply improvements.
Four platforms at Waterloo International Terminal will be brought back into use and longer trains, running in 10-car formation from 2016.
Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “Britain needs a strong economy if it wants to compete globally and effective transport links are absolutely key to that. This is why the Government has embarked on one of the biggest programmes of rail modernisation ever.
“It’s also vital to cost effectively create additional capacity at Waterloo – the capital’s busiest railway station – making the proposals from South West Trains and Network Rail doubly important.”
Tim Shoveller, managing director of the South West Trains-Network Rail Alliance, said: “Our network is currently one of the busiest in Europe carrying almost 210 million passengers a year.
“We already have confirmed plans are in place to deliver improvements in capacity over the next two years. However, the huge success of the railway in the UK means it will get significantly busier in the next two decades and beyond. There is also a need to invest in the infrastructure to improve the daily reliability for today's customers.
“The Alliance between South West Trains and Network Rail means we are working more closely together, thinking big and creating plans for the long-term to deliver significant improvements for passengers.
“The blueprint we are developing in partnership with the Department for Transport is a massive programme of work and requires significant investment. These plans will greatly improve what is a key part of the country's transport infrastructure and ensure our rail network continues to support economic growth.”
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