Staines to Windsor improvement work

We have completed a programme of improvement work on the railway between Staines and Windsor & Eton Riverside to improve reliability for passengers

The line was closed from Saturday 25 October and reopened to passengers on Saturday 1 November 2025 to allow a week-long package of renewal and maintenance work to take place along the branch line. This work was completed on schedule and is helping to provide safer, smoother and more reliable journeys.

When did the work take place?

The railway between Staines and Windsor & Eton Riverside was closed from Saturday 25 October until services resumed on Saturday 1 November 2025. Carrying out the work in a single week-long closure allowed our teams to complete several jobs at once, rather than closing the line on multiple weekends.

What work took place and where?

Across the line, a wide programme of renewal and maintenance was delivered. At Wraysbury, more than a kilometre of rail was replaced and the track bed stabilised to improve the foundations beneath the track. At Datchet level crossing, the road surface was renewed and drainage improved to provide a smoother, more reliable crossing for road users and help reduce the risk of flooding. Insulated rail joints were also replaced or removed at several sites, strengthening the reliability of the signalling system.

Work also took place on two major structures. At Colne River Bridge in Wraysbury, 20 wheel timbers – the long blocks that support the track – were renewed. At Black Potts Viaduct near Windsor, 15 wheel timbers were replaced, along with new fixtures, holding straps and walkways. These improvements are essential to keep trains running safely and reliably across the structures for years to come.

Maintenance and safety improvements

In addition to the larger projects, we used the closure to complete smaller but important maintenance tasks.

Vegetation was cleared and drainage improved along sections of the route, helping to protect the railway from flooding and heavy rainfall. Repairs were carried out at several level crossings, including Datchet & Mays, Moor Farm and Riffold footpath, to address potholes, cattle grids and drainage issues. Routine checks of signalling, telecoms and electrical assets also took place to keep equipment in safe working order.

Why we carried out this work

Delivering this work as part of a single seven-day closure allowed us to complete multiple jobs at once, rather than closing the railway on repeated weekends. This meant less overall disruption for passengers and neighbours while upgrading the line to modern standards.

Safety, reliability and long-term resilience were at the heart of this programme, and we thank passengers and local communities for their patience while the work took place.

Contact us

If you have questions about this work or other activity in your area, please see our contact us page or call our 24-hour national helpline on 03457 11 41 41.