Network Rail has started work on reliability upgrades in Wokingham today, Friday the 26th of January, and will continue until Monday the 19th of February.
The project will see two level crossings upgraded at Wokingham station and two at Easthampstead Road (Star Lane) and will be temporarily closed whilst work takes place with diversions put in place for motorists.
The work will see Wokingham station level crossings manually controlled barrier updated with CCTV monitors, which will support safety for both rail and road users.
During this work, the crossing will be completely closed from 22:00 on the 26th of January until 04:00 on the 19th of February.
Easthampstead Road (Star Lane) level crossing will see modernisation work carried out, including the installation of new equipment, which will extend the life of the crossing by 30 years.
In order for the work to be carried out safely, the crossing will be completely closed from 22:00 on the 2nd of February until 04:00 on the 19th of February.
From Saturday the 10th to Sunday the 18th of February Network Rail will also complete re-signalling work in the Wokingham area between Reading, Bracknell and Gatwick Airport station with 43 new signals set to be installed.
The area which has seen work by the project covers 80 miles of railway and 500 individual pieces of signalling equipment covering key areas of South Western Railway's Network such as Feltham, Hounslow, Shepperton, Twickenham, Windsor & Eton Riverside and Wokingham.
Once completed, the modern digitised signalling system will see train performance improved, which will enable an increase of capacity in the future, a reduction in delays, whilst supporting safety at level crossings.
During the period of work, rail replacement buses will be in operation for South Western Railway and Great Western Railway services between Reading, Bracknell, Gatwick Airport with rail replacement buses also extending to Ascot and Aldershot on some weekends.
South Western Railway will run rail replacement buses as follows:
Saturday the 10th of February:
- Bracknell to Reading
Sunday the 11th of February:
From Monday the 12th to Friday the 16th of February:
- Bracknell to Reading
Saturday the 17th of February before 7:30pm:
- Bracknell to Reading
Saturday the 17th of February after 7:30pm:
- Ascot to Reading
Sunday the 18th of February:
- Ascot to Reading
- Aldershot to Guildford
Great Western Railway will run rail replacement buses as follows:
Saturday the 10th to Sunday the 18th of February:
- Reading to Gatwick Airport
Rail customers are advised to check their travel plans ahead of making a journey during the period of work
In order to make the most of the 9-day railway closure, engineers will also carry out work at Wokingham Junction, which will see:
- Upgrades to switches and crossing
- Routine maintenance
- Structure examination
“These works are critical to us being able to deliver a safe, modern and reliable service for customers travelling on our network between Reading, Bracknell and Guildford.
“There's never a good time to close the railway, and we know that level crossing closures in Wokingham will be disruptive to local road users. However, delivering the bulk of these works during the half term break, when fewer people travel by rail and the schools are closed, helps us minimise the disruption to our customers who rely on this important stretch of railway.
“We're grateful to customers and local residents living alongside the railway for their patience and understanding while we continue upgrading the railway.”
Tom McNamee, Network Rail's Wessex Route Infrastructure Director
“We would like to remind customers to check before travelling ahead of these vital improvements, as buses will replace our train services between Reading, Bracknell and Ascot at differing times between Saturday 10 and Sunday 18 February.
“Customers heading to Twickenham for the England v Wales rugby fixture on Saturday 10 February should also plan ahead.
“We're very grateful for our customers' patience as this work is carried out.”
South Western Railway
“As we continue to invest in the railway, this work is really important to ensure we can maintain and improve resilience.
“Buses will replace trains between Reading and Gatwick Airport between Saturday 10 and Sunday 18 February; journeys will take slightly longer, and we urge those travelling to check their journey beforehand.
“Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding.”
Andrew Gallagher, Great Western Railway Station Manager for the North Downs Line
