Network Railteams kept very busy over August BankHoliday
MOREthan £100millionwas investedby NetworkRailin maintenanceand enhancement projectsoverthe AugustBank Holidayweekend.
Nofewerthan 520projects wereexpectedto takeplace, rangingfrom majormain line closuresto smallerinterventions.
Directtrainsbetween Birminghamand Eustonwere suspendedto allowmajortrack replacemenat roundCoventry, taking advantageof the quieter holidayweekend.Alsoon the WestCoastMainLine,diversions took placein the north-westof Englandassignallingcontrol
Buses
DiversionsallowedAvanti WestCoasto maintaina serviceto andfrom Liverpool, but replacemenbt useswere requiredbetweenWarrington and Runcornand on the Crewe to LiverpooSl outhParkway route.
A £3.4mprojectto improve overheadline equipment(OLE} on the WCMLbetweenPreston and Carlisleis alsounderway.
Sixtyprojectswill involve the overnightreplacemenot f OLEcomponentsto improve reliabilityby March2021.
Theprojectwill alsobe used to train a new generationof OLE engineershowto operateand maintainthe components.
At the southendof the MidlandMainLine,EMR andThameslinktrainswere disruptedastrack,switchesand crossingswererenewedand newsignallingcommissioned on the approachesto St Pancras Internationailn preparationfor the openingof the new Brent Cross tation.
Renewals
Switchand crossingrenewals and heavymaintenanceworks at Claptonon the GreatEastern MainLinealsoaffectedLondon OvergroundS, tanstedExpress and GreaterAngliaon August30.
Southof the Thamesb, ridge replacemenwt orksat Catfordin south-eastLondonclosedthe Lewishamto Hayesbranchand Nunheadto Shortlandsline.