Second Rail Freight Upgrade Announced
Network Rail has announced plans to upgrade a second route out of Southampton docks to take larger high-cube freight containers efficiently when the main line is unavailable.
The diversionary route runs from Southampton to Basingstoke via Romsey and Andover, in addition to the Eastleigh to Romsey line. The works require 17 bridges to be knocked down and rebuilt; the track to be altered at 11 locations and station canopies at Andover, Romsey and Whitchurch to be adjusted. Two redundant bridges will be demolished without being replaced and three further bridges will be modified without having to rebuild them.
Richard O'Brien, Network Rail's route managing director for Wessex, said:
"It is important that the food, clothing, electronics and other consumer goods which arrive into Southampton in containers can make their onward journeys by rail at all times to stock shops around the country.
"Following the recent upgrade of the mainline, we expect increasing amounts of these goods to be shipped in larger, modern containers as this keeps thousands of lorries off the roads, and is the quickest, greenest and most efficient way of transporting them around the country.
"It is vital we provide an alternative route out of the port for those occasions when we carry out improvement works to the main line so we can offer a reliable service for businesses around Britain".
Eight of the 17 bridges being knocked down and rebuilt carry public highways across the railway. The remaining structures are on private roads, or public bridleways or footpaths. The first pieces of work are due to start in August 2011 and the whole project is scheduled for completion by June 2013.
Plans are being finalised for each of the 31 individual upgrades required and specific details will be communicated to members of the public and private land owners in advance. There will also be some disruption to train services while track works are carried out, old structures are demolished and new structures lifted into place.
On 4 April 2011, Network Rail announced the successful completion of the upgrade to the mainline from Southampton to the West Midlands which will allow the modern, larger containers preferred by many global shipping firms to be transported more efficiently by train. Upgrading both rail routes out of Southampton allows freight trains to move goods, including food, clothing, electronics and other consumer products, around Britain in a quicker, cheaper, greener and more practical way.
It is estimated that the upgrade will remove up to 50,000 container lorries a year from the roads.
The following bridges carrying public highways are being upgraded and will require the roads to be closed and diversions to be in place for the duration of the work:
Freefolk
Priory Lane, between Whitchurch and Laverstock Park
Start:August 2011
Finish:December 2011
Newbury Road
Newbury Road, Whitchurch
Start: August 2011
Finish:February 2012
Ashfield
A27, Southampton Road
Start:September 2011
Finish:December 2011
Lee Drove
Lee Drove, between Romsey and Totton
Start:September 2011
Finish:December 2011
Belvers
Weston Lane / Andes Road, Near Redbridge
Start:October 2011
Finish:June 2012
Weyhill Road
Weyhill Road, Andover
Start:November 2011
Finish:February 2012
Old Salisbury / Duke's Mead
B3084 / Stanbridge Lane, near Awbridge, Hampshire
Start:November 2011
Finish:February 2012
Taskers
Watch Lane, between Whitchurch and Laverstock Park
Start:December 2011
Finish:March 2012
Broken Cross
A388 / Old Malthouse Lane, near Ford, Wiltshire
Start:December 2012
Finish:March 2013
It is currently scheduled for track works to take place during the following time periods, which will result in disruption to trains services. Passengers are advised to check with National Rail Enquiries or their train operator before booking tickets or travelling.
Basingstoke to Salisbury
Every weekend between September 2011 and October 2011
Romsey to Salisbury
Every weekend between October 2011 and December 2011
Romsey to Southampton
Every weekend between March 2012 and April 2012