Engineering staff worked between Christmas and New Year to improve the railway for passengers in a number of projects in London, Surrey, Hampshire and Wiltshire.
The largest amount of work took place between Clapham Junction and London Waterloo near Nine Elms Junction.
This work started on Christmas Day and was finished on the 4th January. The work saw track and points upgraded and also vegetation cleared.
Mark Killick, Network Rail Wessex route director, said: “I want to pay tribute to the hundreds of staff who worked between Christmas and new year to improve the railway for passengers.
“I want to thank passengers for their understanding while the work has gone on, and also the communities where our teams have been working 24/7, as we know it can be difficult to have so much work going on next to your home.
“Unfortunately, during the holiday period our people also dealt with two unexpected incidents. Following Storm Bella, a landslip meant we needed to deliver emergency work close to Wanborough station. Also, while the work at Nine Elms was taking place, a section of brick wall on a viaduct collapsed, and there will be some changes to South Western Railway services from Waterloo as a result.
“We are rebuilding the wall as quickly as possible; there were no injuries and investigations continue into the cause of the collapse.”
Alan Penlington, SWR's customer experience director, said: “I would to thank the team at Network Rail for their hard work over the Christmas and New Year period in helping to improve the network so we can deliver a better, more reliable service for our customers.
“However, following the collapse of a brick wall during engineering works in the Nine Elms area of London, we need to amend services to and from Waterloo station from Monday 4 January whilst Network Rail carry out remedial work.
“We apologise for any disruption caused and reassure our customers that we're working hard to update journey planners as quickly as possible. Customers should check www.southwesternrailway.com before travelling for the latest information.”
Work between Christmas and the New Year also saw:
Between Christmas and new year, engineers also:
- Millway Road Bridge in Andover was strengthened alongside vegetation clearance between Andover and Whitchurch.
- Points between Hook and Basingstoke and at Eastleigh West Junction were upgraded
- Track was replaced at Cow Lane Bridge near Cosham in Portsmouth
- Timber structures were replaced on the bridge at Portcreek Junction between Cosham and Hilsea.
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Amazing work. Well done Network Rail.