2 weeks Ago
Network Rail has finished a significant programme of railway engineering work across south London, Kent, and Sussex. The work was carried out over the Easter weekend. Despite the work, more than 90 per cent of the railway remained open during this time.
The engineering work included the rebuilding of a busy railway junction at Battersea, the installation of a new signalling system at Lewisham, and the laying of over 5km of new track between Eastbourne and Hastings. A new level crossing was also installed at Pevensey, and landslip prevention works were carried out at Chislet, between Canterbury West and Minster. These improvements have been made to allow more trains to run, increase the speed at which trains can travel, and improve reliability, reducing future delays for passengers.
David Davidson, Network Rail’s Kent route director, speaking for the Southeastern-Network Rail Alliance, said: "I want to thank our customers for their patience while we’ve worked to modernise track, signalling, stations, structures, and earthworks, helping to keep people moving for decades to come. "This was the least-worst time to complete these works and continue to invest in our growing railway as part of our continued drive to improve performance." Mr Davidson also highlighted the importance of the landslip prevention works at Chislet.
He said: "We also took the opportunity to do some landslip prevention works at Chislet, on the line between Canterbury West and Minster, where because of increased rainfall as a result of climate change, the railway cutting is unlikely to withstand another winter. "By doing this work over Easter we’ve been able to keep the railway open for longer, with fewer weekend closures being needed in the near future." At Battersea Pier, engineers replaced 600 metres of track, installed 1,200 metres of new conductor rail, and approximately 6,000 metres of signalling and telecommunications cable.
Further work is set to take place over the early May bank holiday, Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 May. In the Lewisham area, all signalling equipment on the lines running through Lewisham, from New Cross to Blackheath and Hither Green, was replaced. A four-day closure between Grove Park, Sundridge Park, and Bromley North allowed engineers to refurbish the track, installing 1,728 metres of new rail with approximately 2,160 tonnes of new ballast.
Near Eastbourne at Collington, near Bexhill-on-Sea, 2,700 metres of track was replaced, and a new level crossing was installed at Pevensey. This involved 150 tonnes of new ballast, 160 metres of new rails, 120 concrete sleepers, and new road markings..
