So who's getting the underbridge?

Mon 23 Mar 2009, 09:54

Just received this press release (pasted below) from the Department for Transport. Interesting to see that the works will include "3 new platforms (Charlbury, Ascott-under-Wychwood, Honeybourne); 2 new footbridges and 1 new underbridge". So who's getting the subway - us, Honeybourne or Ascott?

Department for Transport (National)

(DFT) More track and better train service for Cotswolds

Rail passengers are set to benefit from a project costing more than £50 million to double parts of the Cotswold Line, from a single track service to two lines, Transport Minister Andrew Adonis said today.

A second line measuring 20 miles is being laid between Charlbury and Evesham to improve punctuality, ease congestion and reduce journey times under wider Government plans to improve capacity on the UK's railways.

Train company First Great Western is liaising closely with the Cotswold Line Promotion Group - a local group led by David Cameron MP which promotes improvements on the line - and other stakeholders to work out service alterations while the work is carried out.

Andrew Adonis said:

"This redoubling project is great news for Cotswold line users. It will improve journeys for thousands of passengers by reducing delays.

"This section of track used to have a double line but this was removed more than 30 years ago. This has often meant that delays to one train causes delays to other trains travelling anywhere between Worcester and London Paddington."

Performance on the line under First Great Western is very much improved - current periods are well above the national average - and the Cotswold Line project has the potential to boost this further.

Notes to editors

Works on the Cotswold Line redoubling project will include:

• 20 miles of new plain line track;
• 3 new platforms (Charlbury, Ascott-under-Wychwood, Honeybourne);
• 2 new footbridges and 1 new underbridge;
• 2 new 70 mph junctions;
• Closure of three signal boxes and signalling control moved to the new Thames Valley signalling centre at Didcot.

(ends)