Network Rail has installed new overhead wiring on the Southend Victoria branch line as part of a £46m upgrade to improve reliability for key workers.
This is the first time the wiring system has been upgraded since it was installed in the 1950s.
More than 100km of new overhead wire has been installed between Southend Victoria and Shenfield, where the branch line joins with the new overhead line system on the mainline.
The new system adapts to the outside temperature changes, which is important in hot weather and will mean fewer delays and cancellations in the future.
What did the officials say?
Ellie Burrows, Network Rail route director, Anglia, said:
“This work was vital to bring the equipment up to 21st century standards which hugely improves reliability and brings the line up to the modern standards seen on other parts of the network.
“I'd like to thank our Southend passengers for their patience and support while we carried out this extensive work programme. I understand that this has been a difficult time for passengers, especially at the weekends, but I'm confident that these crucial improvements will support the growing number of people using the line for years to come.”
Jamie Burles, Greater Anglia managing director, said:
”It's great news that this work has now been completed. We'd like to thank our customers on this line, who have put up with a lot of disruption due to mid-week and weekend engineer works.
“We'd also like to thank them for the way they worked with us during the innovative nine-day intensive stretch of works last May, which enabled Network Rail to complete the project earlier and with fewer mid-week and weekend works.
“Once we are over coronavirus, I'm sure customers will enjoy being able to travel on the Southend Victoria line at weekends, without part of the journey being by replacement bus.
“The next big change on this line, will be the introduction of our brand new state-of-the-art trains, later this year, which will complete its transformation into a modern 21st century railway.”
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I totally agree. Network Rail should start work on replacing ageing overhead wires on the Ardwick-Gosslop/Hatfield lines and on the LTS line (Bromley-By-Bow-Fenchurch Street). As Network Rail are installing new overhead wires and new tracks for the London Overground extension to Barking Riverside. As the Gospel Oak-Barking Line is now fully electrified and Class 710 Aventras are working on GOBLIN service as it replaced the Class 172/0s.
Lovely work from Network Rail. I live near to the Southend Victoria line and I’ve seen such amazing work with the overhead wiring renewals and new overhead wires installed. Including at stations on the Southend Victoria line such as at Billericay, Wickford, Rayleigh, Hockley, Rochford, Southend Airport, Prittlewell and hopefully new overhead wires installed at Southend Victoria. As the Southend Victoria line was first electrified in the 1950s.
As well new overhead wires on the Great Eastern Main Line at Shenfield, Ingatestone and Chelmsford. And on the GEML between Shenfield-Stratford (including Harold Wood, Gidea Park, Romford, Chadwell Heath, Goodmayes, Seven Kings, Ilford (including Ilford Flyover), Manor Park, Forest Gate and Maryland) and Liverpool Street-Stratford (including at Bethnal Green).
So the last bit between Prittlewell and Southend Victoria as Network Rail are replacing the overhead wires has been completed. Wonderful. Next task is to replace the overhead wires at Southend Victoria station including the sidings and depot and replacing overhead wires at Stratford in East London. And also replacing overhead wires on the LTS line between Bromley-by-Bow and Fenchurch Street and between Ardwick and Hatfield & Gosslop on the former Woodhead Line (now Hatfield & Gosslop lines) in Greater Manchester.
Very nice, but living in a town that was promised electrification but then had it cancelled, I do wonder if Network Rail have their priorities right?
Market Harborough is on the Midland Mainline. How much longer before this gets the wires to Sheffield as we were promised?