Passengers are benefitting from better journeys between Worcester and Hereford after six days of work to upgrade track along this vital route.
The line reopened on Saturday (3 February) after major track upgrades over a carefully planned six-day closure of the route, which started on Monday 27 January.
The work involved replacing 485 yards of track, using 1800 tonnes of new ballast (the stones which are the foundation of the tracks) and installing 1348 new composite sleepers across the Ledbury viaduct.
The track, which dated back to the 1950’s in some parts, was replaced across the Ledbury viaduct – a Victorian structure built in 1859-60. Working on a historic bridge like this required extra care and precautions and special measures, including;
- Environmentally friendly composite sleepers were used – offering a more sustainable alternative to conventional concrete or wooden sleepers, as well as being lighter to limit the impact on the structure.
- Non-invasive temporary fencing was used to keep engineers safe whilst avoiding any impact or damage to the viaduct’s historical features.
- Drones were used to monitor the structure throughout the work to provide a safe and efficient way of assessing the condition of the structure.
- A New Track Construction (NTC) machine was used to safely and efficiently replace the track.
Adam Checkley, infrastructure director for Network Rail’s Central route, said: “We’re really pleased to have reopened the line between Worcester and Hereford to passengers, following six days of major upgrades.
“Given the scale and complexity of the track upgrades, a six-day closure was needed to carry out the work safely and in the most cost-effective way. I’m really sorry for the disruption caused and I’m grateful for everyone’s patience while we did this essential work.
“The upgrades along this important route will help bring smoother and more reliable journeys for passengers for years to come.”
Passengers should check www.nationalrail.co.uk for the latest journey information and travel advice.
Image credit: Network Rail
