From the
Wiltshire Gazette & Herald:
Boss^s vow over Wiltshire railway delays
Network Rail boss Andrew Haynes pledged rail services through Wiltshire will remain open despite major works. He was reassuring commuters ahead of the Great Western Route Modernisation Programme next summer.
Network Rail organised a drop-in session at County Hall on Tuesday to tell people about the disruption they can expect.
Mr Haynes, director for Great Western Route Modernisation West of England, said Network Rail will work with Wiltshire Council and other partners to minimise any effects.
Services from Bath to Trowbridge and Westbury will be disrupted during a six-week period from July 18 to August 31 next year, with Network Rail promising a comprehensive road service while the line is shut.
Mr Haynes said: ^Wiltshire will remain open throughout the works next summer, even while we are undertaking these essential works to bring to people an electrified quieter greener and cleaner railway. We have been engaging with businesses, and key stakeholder groups since the early months of 2014 and will continue to do so going forward. The purpose of these drop-in sessions is to inform local communities about the Electrification Programme, the work involved, possible diversion routes and to get their feedback on our plans. We work closely with Wiltshire Council, Swindon Council, local parish councils, and business associations such to keep people informed about our programme.^
The programme is a government sponsored rail and infrastructure investment scheme that will transform the Great Western Mainline from London Paddington to Swansea by 2018.
Mr Haynes added: ^Network Rail, First Great Western, Wiltshire Council and our other partners are committed to the people of Wiltshire. We are modernising the Great Western Main Line to bring Brunel^s railway into the 21st century.^
More information, at networkrail.co.uk/great-western-route-modernisation
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