From Saturday 6th to Friday 12th March 2021, there will not be any trains between Staines and Windsor & Eton Riverside, as there will be maintenance work taking place on the line.
The Windsor Branch on the South Western Railway network will be closed for six days to will help engineers prepare the ground for the new signalling. While the line is closed the opportunity will be taken to clear litter and graffiti plus carry out maintenance to track and the bridges along then line.
21 new signal foundations will be installed along the five-mile stretch of line that is part of the project to replace the signalling, which dates back to the '70s.
The Feltham – Wokingham Resignalling Programme is a long term project to upgrade signalling that is controlled by Wokingham Signal Box and Network Rail's Feltham Area Signalling Centre.
As these works are taking place, engineers will also work on signal cabling at level crossings at Datchet and at Sunnymeads and Datchet stations.
The A30 Staines bypass bridge that crosses the railway between Staines and Wraysbury will have work completed on the 7th of March. This work will see a lane closure on the road between 1 am and 2 pm whilst engineers complete brickwork repairs.
There will be a rail replacement bus in service that will run between Staines and Windsor & Eton Riverside when the line is closed.
All passengers are asked to check before travelling as buses will be running to replace GWR services in the Windsor area as the line is closed towards London Paddington.
For more information on the Feltham-Wokingham Re-signalling Programme click here
Mark Killick, Network Rail Wessex route director, said: “We're making the most of this quieter time on our railway to make improvements and carry out important maintenance, and this week-long closure will allow us to complete a whole programme of work that would otherwise take many more weekend closures, stretching through the year.
“The work forms an important part of our Feltham-Wokingham Re-signalling Programme, which will transform reliability for passengers travelling around South West London and towards Reading and Windsor. Our existing signalling is becoming harder and harder to maintain, so this is an important project to improve reliability and keep both trains and passengers moving.
“We're grateful to our passengers and those living close to the line for their patience while we complete these improvements. Although not many people are travelling with us now, those that are travelling are so important to the country and we are working hard to look after them and create a better railway for everyone.”
Alan Penlington, SWR's customer experience director, said: “This closure is part of a major signalling upgrade which will see greater reliability and ensure the resilience of train services in the area which is good for customers.
“Whilst there is never a good time to close the railway, these works are taking place when fewer people are travelling. I realise that any closure will disrupt our customers that need to travel, however, replacement buses will be in operation and staff will be on hand to help customers complete their journey.
“I'd like to thank customers for their patience and remind anyone who is making an essential journey to check online before they travel.”
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