Barnes Bridge has been newly strengthened (Image: Network Rail)
A key UK railway route is set for a swathe of upgrade works as engineers aim to update ageing infrastructure.
Network Rail is embarking on a £4billion project to improve journeys on The Sussex route, which includes the Brighton Main Line and its branch lines, and the railway across the South West and into London, including the Heart of Wessex Line.
In addition, after investing £1.25billion to improve the railway in Kent and south east London between 2019 and 2024, there is a further planned package of £1.35billion of investment over the next five years.
Officials describe the lines in Sussex as ‘some of the most intensively used infrastructure in the country’.
On routes southwest from the capital, bosses say there will be ‘significant investment’ into the signalling, structures and tracks between 2024 and 2029.
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The Brighton Main Line and its branch lines are being improved (Image: Getty)
This will ‘improve the resilience of the railway, as well as bringing it up to modern standards so that passengers can enjoy more reliable journeys into the future’.
Key spending includes £333million on renewing tracks, £129million on earthworks, £329million to upgrade signalling, £165million on buildings and stations, £124million to refurbish and renew structures and £119million on electrical and power supply improvements.
List of projects
Here is a list of the projects:
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Portsmouth Direct Upgrade – a large programme of work to upgrade signalling and track on the line from Woking to Portsmouth Harbour to ‘improve reliability and journey times’
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Fareham to Havant and Portsmouth Harbour – new track and completing bridge strengthening at Portsmouth’s historic landport viaduct
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Wessex Switches and Crossings track renewals – a large scale track, switches and crossings, and signalling upgrade. Also removing life-expired assets at several key locations, including the busy Nine Elms junction, Staines and Woking
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Island Line Improvement works – renewing the Island Line and the famous Ryde Pier to make sure passengers on the Isle of Wight receive a reliable and modern service
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In Sussex, Network Rail says it plans to spend £900million between 2024 2029 to ‘upgrade track, signalling, structures, earthworks and stations’.
Meanwhile, in Kent, funding will ‘tackle historic under-investment in the Kent network, replacing ageing equipment with new and more reliable technology to support improving train performance and keeping people moving for decades to come’.
Specific investment includes £310million on track and junctions, £309million on signalling work, £133million on earthworks, £44million on drainage improvements, £167million on electrical and power supply improvements, £213million replacing or refurbishing structures and £128million on buildings.