Major upgrade works are set to be carried out on parts of the railway around Twickenham, starting in late summer.
Across six weekends, beginning in late August, Network Rail engineers will replace three separate sets of points at Twickenham Junction, west of Twickenham station.
Points are an essential part of railway infrastructure and need kept in top condition to prevent delays to services. The upgrade works will provide improved reliability for trains travelling on this section of track in south west London for several decades.
Over 500 yards of conductor rail, used to provide power to trains, will also be renewed to improve reliability on the route to Reading and Windsor & Eton Riverside.
Mark Killick, Network Rail’s Wessex Route Director, said: “This programme of work will boost reliability at a very important junction, where trains run through to Reading and Windsor & Eton Riverside and also access the Strawberry Hill depot.
“Six weekends of work does mean that our customers and those living near the railway will experience some disruption, for which we apologise. Having analysed travel patterns in the area during the week and at weekends, we believe this minimises the impact as much as possible while allowing us to deliver the work that, once complete, means better journeys for everyone.”
The improvements at Twickenham Junction follow a programme of maintenance in 2020, when teams took full advantage of a line closure by also conducting structural work and litter clearance.
Alan Penlington, SWR’s Customer Experience Director, added: “With such a long series of closures, I realise these works will mean disruption for our customers; however, replacement buses will be in operation wherever lines need to be closed. As customers return to the railway,
"it’s important that these works take place to improve the performance and reliability of the network for years to come. I’d like to thank customers for their patience and remind anyone who’s traveling to plan ahead to see if their journey is affected.”
