The installation of new signalling equipment in Wokingham represents the end of a major £375m investment from Network Rail.
During the most recent closure, engineers installed 43 new signals, upgraded two level crossings at Wokingham Station and Easthampstead Road, and renewed a double railway junction in Wokingham.
Network Rail says the completed works will help passengers benefit from a digital signalling system that will boost performance, increase capacity, enhance safety, and reduce delays.
The five-year programme also saw Network Rail move control of the signalling equipment between Feltham and Wokingham into the Rail Operating Centre.
Not only is this more cost efficient, it also helps signallers to communicate more effectively given they are in the same room.
“It’s fantastic to see the completion of our Feltham to Wokingham resignalling programme,” says Network Rail’s Wessex route director, Matt Pocock.
"The new digital signals have replaced the old equipment which became unreliable and harder to maintain and the new state of the art signalling will improve the reliability of this key stretch of railway and in turn help reduce delays for our customers.”
Network Rail upgraded 16 level crossings and installed 500 pieces of signalling equipment covering 80 miles of railway during its five-year £375m project.
Peter Williams, customer and commercial director at South Western Railway, adds: “We’re very pleased to see that the Feltham-Wokingham Resignalling Programme has been completed, bringing a modern, more reliable signalling system to some very busy parts of our network.”
Image credit: Network Rail
