Over the next 5 years, we’re investing over £2bn to modernise the railway across the South West and into London.
RRV replacing track on the Heart of Wessex Line, September 2024
Between 2024 and 2029 we’re making a significant investment into the signalling, structures and tracks heading South West from London. The investment will help improve the resilience of the railway, as well as bringing it up to modern standards so that passengers can enjoy more reliable journeys into the future.
Key statistics
£333m on renewing tracks
£129m on earthworks
£329m to upgrade signalling
£165m on buildings and stations
£124m to refurbish and renew our structures
£119m on electrical and power supply improvements
Key projects
Portsmouth Direct Upgrade – We’re carrying out a large programme of work to upgrade signalling and track on the line from Woking to Portsmouth Harbour to improve reliability and journey times.
Fareham to Havant & Portsmouth Harbour – We’re delivering new track and completing bridge strengthening at Portsmouth’s historic landport viaduct.
Wessex Switches & Crossings track renewals – a large scale track, switches and crossings, and signalling upgrade. To remove life-expired assets at several key locations, including the busy Nine Elms junction, Staines and Woking.
Island Line Improvement works – We are working closely with SWR to renew the Island Line and the famous Ryde Pier to make sure passengers on the Isle of Wight receive a reliable and modern service.
Wheel timber replacement over Barnes Bridge, July 2024
Upgrade work
As part of our upgrade plan we are spending £333m on upgrading 53km of track as well as 58 renewals of switches and crossings, where trains change track.
Why is this work needed?
Newer track means its less prone to faults, especially those caused by extreme weather conditions. Old switches and crossings are also prone to breaking, so renewing the track infrastructure reduces this risk, and reduces delays for passengers as a result.
An investment of £329m will be used to improve and upgrade signalling across the route. We’re fully renewing 100 signals and partially renewing 256. Schemes such as Portsmouth Direct and the North Downs Line upgrade will see major improvements on key lines on our route.
Why is this work needed?
Signals allow our trains to travel safely and quickly along our network, and when there is a failure with our equipment, there can be long delays to passengers.
Renewing our equipment will result in fewer delays and more reliable journeys for passengers.
£165m will be spent on improving our stations and buildings on the route, with £27m going to our owned stations like Waterloo and £103m going to stations leased to train operated companies.
Why are these works needed?
Many stations across the route are from the Victorian area, and so need bringing up to modern standards to allow all our passengers to travel in ease and comfort.
Trains in Wessex travel across rivers, under the ground and even over the sea and our £124m investment will help us maintain and strengthen them to support trains for decades to come.
Over the next 5 years Barnes Bridge, Ryde Pier and Lymington Pier viaduct are all included on our list to be strengthened and renewed.
Why are these works needed?
Our structures brave the elements and over time can become weaker and less able to withstand the force of high speed trains. This means that at times we need to introduce speed restrictions over them, which can lead to delays and slower journeys. Renewing our structures will keep our passengers moving safely at speed.
Over the next 5 years we’re investing £129m on earthworks, meaning methods to protect the railway from landslips and failing embankments.
Why is this work needed?
Hotter, drier summers and colder, wetter winters caused by the climate crisis mean that the earth around our tracks is more changeable and less stable, and landslips are on the rise. Strengthening our embankments and cuttings, will help protect the railway from these risks in the future.
Keeping you moving
This record investment means that we’ll be doing more work to improve the railway across the South West and into London than ever before. We’ll do most of the work when trains are not running, but will need to work at weekends, bank holidays and during school holiday times.
If you are planning to travel at the weekend or during a holiday period, don’t get caught out. Always check before you travel at National Rail Enquiries or with your relevant train operator CrossCountry, Great Western Railway, Southern or South Western Railway.
Contact us
For more information or to get in touch with us, please contact us by visiting ourcontact us page or by calling our 24-hour national helpline on 03457 11 41 41.
