Warehouse premises in Bristol will benefit from upgrade of West Network Rail
Network Rail today pledged to improve services across the West and on the main Great Western line into London as it continues the biggest investment in the region’s railways since the Victorian era.
This is exciting news for the whole area. These improvements will bring new business, employees and investments to the area. The improvements will also enhance efficiency in the transportation of goods which in turn will enhance industry and could bring expansion and growth, creating a positive economic impact.
Designed to respond to and cater for continuing growth in passenger numbers, Network Rail claims the plan sets out the biggest programme of improvements to the Great Western main line since it was built 175 years ago.
To meet this challenge and to provide the extra capacity needed to cater for a further 51% predicted increase in passengers over the next 30 years, Network Rail and rail industry partners will deliver an already-announced programme of electrification, signalling upgrades and new, longer trains over the 2014-19 period.
Network Rail route managing director Patrick Hallgate said: “Managing what is essentially a Victorian railway is becoming increasingly difficult and this programme of investment will bring it firmly into the 21st century.”
“This plan will provide a bigger and better railway for passengers and help support and drive economic growth across the West. By the end of the decade, the Great Western main line will set the standard for 21st century rail travel in Britain and provide the capacity we need to cater for the continued increase in the popularity of rail travel.”
The main schemes in the West are:
Modernising signalling – around 25,000 minutes of delays on average each year on the Great Western main line are potentially caused by problems with ageing signalling equipment.
Network Rail is resignalling the Great Western main line ahead of electrification, modernising equipment which dates back to the 1960s.
Bristol Temple Meads – A £100m investment to build two new platforms, open a new entrance and renovate the existing entrance. This fits in to the wider scheme to develop the area.
This is an exciting project for the West one that will bring economic advancements for all as well as enhancing The West connectivity with the rest of the UK.
Source: Bristol Business Desk