UK Network Rail has reopened the Severn Tunnel to train passengers after completing six weeks of upgrade works costing £10m.

Engineers installed more than eight miles of conductor rails, which will eventually power a new fleet of electric trains through the 130 year-old railway tunnel. 

During closure, Network Rail also completed work to prepare neighbouring Patchway Tunnels as part of the its railway upgrade plan, which makes up two-thirds of its £40bn spending priorities for the five years up to 2019.

More than 20 conductor rail anchors, and 240m of conductor rail were installed in the 7,008m-long Severn Tunnel, built by Great Western Railway (GWR).

In addition, 7,000 anchors were installed to support the new electric equipment and more than 40t of soot was removed from the tunnel during preparatory work.

"Electrification of the South Wales Mainline will transform the railway."

Network Rail Wales route managing director Andy Thomas said: “We are delighted to have delivered this vital milestone in the project to electrify the South Wales Mainline as part of our Railway Upgrade Plan to give passengers a bigger and better railway.

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“Electrification of the South Wales Mainline will transform the railway, bringing significant long-term benefits for passengers, including faster, more frequent trains as well as a boost to economic growth for towns and cities across South Wales thanks to better connectivity to and from London.”

The tunnel upgrade is part of the £2.8bn scheme, which aims to electrify the main line from London to South Wales.

Network Rail Wales project director Dan Tipper said: “It has been a phenomenal team effort, involving over 250 engineers and close working with our principal contractors ABC Electrification and Babcock, as well as numerous suppliers, designers and subcontractors including Amco, Keltbray and Arup, to deliver this essential stage of the electrification project.”


Image: Installation of electrification equipment in the Severn Tunnel. Photo: © Network Rail.