RailAdvent
  • Home
  • News
    • All News
    • Freight
    • Infrastructure
    • Mainline Network
    • Heritage on the Mainline News
    • Narrow Gauge Railway News
    • Standard Gauge Railway News
  • Mainline Steam Info
  • All Railtours
  • Community
  • Online Shop
  • Simulation
  • Upgrade!
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
Cart / £0.00

No products in the basket.

  • Father’s Day Cards
  • Email Newsletter
  • Reviews
  • Events Calendar
  • Streaming Video
  • Home
  • News
    • All News
    • Freight
    • Infrastructure
    • Mainline Network
    • Heritage on the Mainline News
    • Narrow Gauge Railway News
    • Standard Gauge Railway News
  • Mainline Steam Info
  • All Railtours
  • Community
  • Online Shop
  • Simulation
  • Upgrade!
No Result
View All Result
RailAdvent
No Result
View All Result
Home Infrastructure

“Welcome Back” – Network Rail’s Southern Region message after £1.8bn investment

Cameron White avatar by Cameron White
4th September 2021
in Infrastructure
Reading Time: 5 mins read
2
Hither Green Station Improvements (13)

Credit: Network Rail

2.4k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

The enormous project has seen upgrade work completed at Hither Green, Sandwich, Slade Green, Guildford, Feltham and Grove Park stations.

Maintenance work has also been completed including improvements to signalling and track between Balham and Clapham, around the Hither Green area and also on the Arun Valley line which is in Sussex, whilst a massive rebuild of the Southampton Docks area now means that freight trains of up to 750m can now run. 

The massive investment program has seen £660 million spent in Kent, £643 million in Sussex and £580 million in Wessex. The huge ‘build back better’ upgrade project is hoped to give passengers a feeling of safety and overall confidence to get back on board with train travel following the pandemic.

Network Rail has been working hard throughout the pandemic making sure that trains were running for critical workers such as NHS staff and also making sure that crucial goods such as food, fuel and medical supplies were able to move across the network on freight trains each day.

Southern Region work during coronavirus pandemic
Credit: Network Rail

Railway workers were also classified as key workers during the lockdown and this meant that signallers and maintenance teams had to work both day and night as part of the national effort, keeping the network running and the country on the move.

Adam Kotulecki was one of the railways key workers working as a senior project manager for the Southampton Freight Train Lengthening scheme and he said: “We had over 600 employees coming into the site during the project.

RelatedPosts

61306 Mayflower

Steam locomotive 61306 Mayflower to pass through Wimbledon this Tuesday

16th May 2022
Fareham station, eastleigh line closure

Nine-day closure for Hampshire railway line as work is carried out to improve tracks to protect vulnerable earthworks

15th May 2022
61306 Mayflower

Steam locomotive to haul London to Windsor train this Tuesday

9th May 2022
61306 Mayflower at the helm of a Steam Dreams charter

Steam locomotive 61306 Mayflower to pass through Crystal Palace this Tuesday

8th May 2022
Load More

“It was of paramount importance that we not only kept colleagues safe by using social distancing, but their loved ones safe too. A lot of our staff stayed down on the site – many lived hundreds of miles away – so they could dedicate and focus on the work, and not put their loved ones in any danger.

“For nine months, I moved out of my house and didn’t get to see my own family – even my wedding was cancelled due to the pandemic. My life needed to change, and I was one hundred per cent committed to my job and the successful delivery of the project.

“We hope that when passengers come back, they will see a more reliable network.”

Southern Region work during coronavirus pandemic
Credit: Network Rail

John Halsall, Network Rail Southern region managing director, said: “We’re really excited to welcome more passengers back to the railway now that the coronavirus restrictions have been lifted.

“I want to pay tribute to the thousands of Network Rail and train operator colleagues who have worked tirelessly over the past 18 months to keep the country moving during this incredibly challenging time.

“Our passengers deserve to travel with confidence, so we’ve been working hard to keep you safe with enhanced cleaning and new one-way systems to avoid crowding, and we’re asking passengers to continue to wear face coverings in crowded spaces out of respect to others.”

Chris Fowler, customer services director for Southern, said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming customers back on board. Over the past year, our colleagues have worked hard to keep services running to support key workers and essential travel.

“In addition, we’ve also continued to carry out our multi-million-pound, network-wide station improvement programme. Involving more than 1,000 projects and 250 stations – we’re confident that returning customers will enjoy a better station experience.”

Claire Mann, managing director of South Western Railway, said: “It’s great news that Network Rail has made such good progress in improving the infrastructure that our customers rely on every day.

“This work complements the enhancements that we at South Western Railway have made over the last 18 months, including faster wi-fi, upgraded station facilities and accessibility improvements – to name just a few.

“Improving our railway is a process rather than an event, and we are continually working to improve our services – including by learning from our mistakes when things go wrong.”

David Statham, managing director for Southeastern, said: “Working together with Network Rail we’ve continued to invest in the railway across Kent, East Sussex and South East London in the areas that really matter, not least in enhancing accessibility and ensuring that journeys are more reliable.

“The last eighteen months have not been without challenges, but we continue to listen and to respond to continue to do more to improve the journey experience of our passengers.”

Where Next?

RAILADVENT NEWS
The latest railway news
RailAdvent Plus
Railway Discounts, 4k Video, pictures and more!
FREE NEWSLETTERS
Signup to our daily and weekly newsletters
RAILADVENT SHOP
Railway Prints, DVD’s / Blu-Ray’s, books and more
LOCOSTOP COMMUNITY
Come and share your railway pictures
UK STEAM INFO
Upcoming mainline steam tours/loco movements
NETWORK RAIL
Visit their website

Tags: FelthamGrove ParkGuildfordHither GreenNetwork Rail Southern RegionSandwichSlade GreenSouth Western RailwaySoutheastern
ShareTweetPinShareShare
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
guest
2 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Where Next on RailAdvent?

Railway News DVDs, Prints, Cards and Gifts MAINLINE STEAM INFO Competition Time! Share your pictures FREE NEWSLETTERS Subscribe for More
Previous Post

Milestone Moment – 1,000 covenantors now supporting steam locomotive 2007 “Prince of Wales” 

Next Post

The £30.8 million rebuild of Perry Barr railway station is making swift progress

Related Posts

35028 Clan Line hauling The Belmond British Pullman
Mainline Steam

Steam locomotive 35028 Clan Line to pass through London and Croydon this Friday

by Michael Holden
5th May 2022
2

Steam locomotive 35028 Clan Line will be back in steam on the mainline, and will be in London...

Read more
Trains Collage

Do not miss your chance to bid in the Railway Benefit Fund Auction – more items have been added

30th April 2022
Signal work

Network Rail alter plans so the Army vs Navy rugby match at Twickenham can go ahead

29th April 2022
Living Wall at Portsmouth Harbour station

‘Living Wall’ installed at Portsmouth Harbour railway station

15th April 2022
Load More

Top rated products

  • KWVR diesel gala Keighley & Worth Valley Railway - 2019 Diesel & Mixed Traction Gala
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    £19.99 – £21.99
  • 60009 Union of South Africa mouse mat Steam locomotive mouse mat - 60009 Union of South Africa, East Lancashire Railway
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    £6.99
  • Flying Scotsman clock 9 inch Wall Clock featuring steam locomotive Flying Scotsman
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    £19.99
  • East Lancashire Railway DVD East Lancashire Railway - Spring Steam Gala 2022 - 2 Disc Set
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    £16.99 – £21.99
  • Union of South Africa steam train fridge magnet Steam locomotive fridge magnet - 60009 Union of South Africa, East Lancashire Railway
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    £3.49

Our latest release

Watch Instantly

NYMR DVD 2019
FR Victorian DVD

You May Like

Latest Reviews

Continental Traction cover 001
Book Review

Book Review: Continental Traction by Jamie Anderson

by Roger Smith

This book features a selection of photographs taken between 2015 and 2020, featuring traction running on the European railway network.

Read more
Deltics cover

Book Review: The Deltics and Baby Deltics: A Tale of Success and Failure by Andrew Fowler

Load More

Latest News

Beyer Peacock & Company Works No 1827 0-4-0ST
Mid Suffolk Light Railway

Beyer Peacock steam locomotive to visit the Mid-Suffolk Light Railway

by Roger Smith
21st May 2022
TUBE MAP - MAY 2022
Network

Latest London Tube map update shows the Elizabeth line

by Chloe White
21st May 2022
Freightliner team working on fitting RFID tags to wagons for real time monitoring
Freight

Real-time monitoring of Britain’s freight locomotives and wagons

by Roger Smith
20th May 2022
TPE's Nova 1 train
Network

Bookings flourish as opening of new Scottish railway station moves closer

by Chloe White
20th May 2022

FREE RailAdvent newsletters

Get the latest news, reviews, deals and more straight into your inbox.

Click here to sign up today !

Our latest release

Deals at Amazon

RailAdvent Online Store

  • Ffestiniog Railway Snowdonian DVD

    Reliving Preservation – Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway Snowdonians – 2 Disc DVD + 2 A4 Print Set

    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    £19.99 – £21.99
    Select options
  • CD clock with 60009 Union of South Africa

    CD Clock featuring steam locomotive 60009 Union of South Africa, East Lancashire Railway

    £10.99
    Add to basket
  • Union of South Africa steam train fridge magnet

    Steam locomotive fridge magnet – 60009 Union of South Africa, East Lancashire Railway

    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    £3.49
    Add to basket
  • Greetings card with 50007 on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway

    Class 50 locomotive greetings card – 50007, Keighley and Worth Valley Railway

    £2.99
    Add to basket
  • Prince at Boston Lodge Halt – Ffestiniog Railway Victorian Weekend 2019

    £3.49 – £29.99
    Select options
  • 37521 at Appleby with The Staycation Express

    37521 arrives into Appleby – The Staycation Express

    £3.49 – £29.99
    Select options
  • Peter's Railway - A new railway, stories from the old railways and how-it-works pages

    Peter’s Railway – A new railway, stories from the old railways and how-it-works pages

    £11.99
    Add to basket
  • Peters Railway Holiday at Lunan Bay

    Peter’s Railway Holiday at Lunan Bay

    £4.99
    Add to basket

From RailAdvent

Peters Railway Books
RailAdvent

© RailAdvent Ltd 2014 - 2022
Registered in England & Wales
Company Number: 13512367
VAT Number: 392755949

More Links

  • About Us
  • Advertising on RailAdvent
  • How to Contact Us
  • RailAdvent Product List
  • Delivery, Returns & Refund Policy
  • RailAdvent Privacy Policy
  • LocoStop – The Railway Social Network
  • Mainline UK Steam Info
  • RailAdvent Points

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • Cart
  • Home
  • News
  • Father’s Day Cards
  • Mainline UK Steam Info
  • Online Shop
  • Community
  • Book Reviews
  • Competition Time
  • Subscribe Today!
  • Simulation
  • Railtours
  • Streaming Video
  • Railway Special Events Calendar
  • Videos
  • Find A Railway
    • Railways In England
      • By County
      • By Name
    • Railways In Scotland
    • Railways In Wales
  • More Stuff
    • Miniature Railways In The UK
    • Museums In The UK
      • By Name
      • By County
    • Model Railways
    • Review of the week
    • Flying Scotsman
    • Throwback Thursdays
    • About Us
    • How to Contact Us
    • Advertising on RailAdvent
    • Featured Fridays
      • Share your Railway Photo’s & Video’s

© RailAdvent Ltd 2014 - 2022
Registered in England & Wales
Company Number: 13512367
VAT Number: 392755949

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Session expired

Please log in again. The login page will open in a new tab. After logging in you can close it and return to this page.

>
X
X