Network Rail delivers on May Bank Holiday engineering programme

Network Rail completed its programme of engineering work over the late May Bank Holiday weekend of May 26-30, with all the projects undertaken by its Infrastructure Projects division handed back on time, and 99.4% of all projects delivered on schedule.

At Pudding Mill Lane, 338 metres of track were renewed - along with an overhead mast and undertrack crossing - in preparation for connecting Crossrail tracks with the Great Eastern Main Line.

On the Thameslink programme, work took place near London Bridge with Borough Viaduct reballasted and fitted with new tracks. Track renewals also took place between Seven Kings and Chadwell Heath.

The Wembley Central North crossover was replaced, with the new switches and crossing resting on concrete bearers rather than wooden timbers. Preparations for Redhill’s new Platform 0 also began, with plain lines renewed and the replacement of one set of points. Under-track crossing chambers were installed, and pilling and grillages installed for a new signal gantry.

On the Great Western Main Line, track lowering at the Huntsmill Road overbridge near Wootton Bassett Junction has created clearances for overhead line electrification equipment, and at Roman Road overbridge in Swindon track and drainage were also lowered.

In northern England, Burnden Junction was remodelled with 1,100 yards of tracks renewed, 180 yards of switches and crossings installed, an old signal gantry removed, and a new signal installed.

Between Lostock and Euxton, Level of Control cases were installed, tests of solid state interlocking extensions were carried out, and Panel and Panel Multiplexer alteration works were completed from Blackrod to Euxton.

In Yorkshire, a new signalling panel at Woodburn signalbox was installed as part of works for the Sheffield tram-train system. At Starbeck (near Harrogate), the lifeexpired subway deck was replaced with a new design. And more than 400 yards of track was renewed between Doncaster and York.

On the West Coast Main Line at Winsford, much of the formation was replaced for 390 yards with new geotextile blanket, ballast and track. A similar exercise took place at Watford North, where 684 yards of formation was renewed.

In Scotland, work on platform extensions at Edinburgh Waverley continued with the de-wiring of Platforms 5 and 6, relocation of a public address and voice alarm mode, and drilling of a borehole to facilitate work on Platform 12.

In Elgin, work on the extension of the passing loop continued with the installation of a new set of points east of Elgin signalbox and relocation of a GSM-R mast. The new double-track section at Elgin is due to be completed and commissioned in October.

Track renewals also took place on the West Coast Main Line at Symington South, where 342 yards were replaced.