Coventry train disruption warning over nine day Network Rail works

Rail journeys from Coventry are set to be hit by nine days of works. Network Rail has said that several major projects will be taking place in various places over nine days on the Coventry[1] to Leamington Spa[2] line, and between Heyford and Oxford.

These works are due to start on Saturday, July 29 and run until Sunday, August 6. Over the nine days, different sections of the railway will need to close, with rail replacement buses being used.

Chiltern Railways services between the West Midlands and London Marylebone, as well as West Midlands Railways and CrossCountry services between Coventry and Leamington Spa, and further south to Oxford will be impacted by the closures.

What Network Rail works are taking place?

One of the biggest pieces of work will see Network Rail invest £11m to strengthen a Victorian-built railway viaduct that carries trains over the River Avon near Leamington Spa. Specialist roped access teams will upgrade the 179-year-old structure by replacing damaged and missing bricks, repointing the mortar and strengthening its nine arches.

Other works include:

  • A £1.3m investment to build 2.2 miles of new track in Banbury to improve journey reliability**
  • A 47-metre-long bridge being installed in Kenilworth so tracks for HS2 can be built underneath the existing rail route***
  • A major railway resignalling scheme around Oxford to prepare for East West Rail

Speaking about the works, Denise Wetton, Network Rail Central route director, said: "I’d like to thank passengers in advance for their patience ahead of this major work while we carry out essential maintenance on an historic viaduct in Leamington Spa, new signalling is installed for East West Rail in Oxford and HS2 builds a key structure that will enable the railway of the future.

“The scale of these projects means there will be disruption to trains between Coventry to Leamington Spa and Oxford from Saturday 29 July until Sunday 6 August. We’ve worked closely with all train operators on plans to keep passengers on the move, and I’d urge people to plan ahead by checking National Rail Enquiries, so they know what to expect from their individual journey."

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References

  1. ^ Coventry (www.coventrytelegraph.net)
  2. ^ Leamington Spa (www.coventrytelegraph.net)
  3. ^ Massive live poker tournament at CBS Arena expected to bring thousands of people to Coventry (www.coventrytelegraph.net)
  4. ^ here (data.reachplc.com)
  5. ^ Coventry (www.coventrytelegraph.net)

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