Work is to begin on the West Coast Mainline and Trent Valley Lines in the Midlands as both Network Rail and HS2 carry out essential works.
The Trent Valley Line will be closed for nine days as engineers carry out works connected to the £8.5 million investment at Colwich Junction.
Alongside that, work will be carried out at Lichfield Train Station as part of the stations transformation. This will mean that Platform 3 at Lichfield Train Station will be completely rebuilt. The first stage of dismantling the structure will be undertaken during the nine-day period with further planned works to rebuild and reinstate the platform to take place in six months.
Nearby, HS2 will be moving a huge new bridge at Fulfen Woods, which forms part of the wider Streethay crossing project.
The bridge is at a busy intersection of the West Coast Mainline and the South Staffordshire line. The bridge has been built alongside the railway over the last six months. The 6,500 tonne concrete bridge will then be transported to the location to become a 56m long and 19m wide bridge that will allow the HS2 line pass underneath.
Dave Penney, Network Rail North West and Central region passenger director, said: “These major track and signalling improvements on the Trent Valley line will mean better, smoother and more reliable journeys for passengers and freight in future.
“However, complex upgrades like these mean we have no choice but to close sections of railway for old sections of track to be ripped up and replaced with new, and for new signalling equipment to be installed and tested.”
Jonny Wiseman, customer experience director at West Midlands Railway, said: “Investing in new track and the upkeep of our railways will support a better travel experience, providing passengers with more efficient journeys on our services in the future.”
Photo Credit: HS2 Ltd.
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