Watford station upgrades

UK rail infrastructure operator Network Rail has reopened the West Coast main line, following the completion of the third successive weekend of upgrade work at Watford.

Work under the improvements included the replacement and installation of new railway sections and parts of the new modern signalling system in the area.

Network Rail acting route managing director Jim Syddall said: "The section of track at Watford is one of the most intensively used, high-speed pieces of railway in the UK and has seen tremendous growth in traffic and passengers over the last five years.

"This work is essential to provide a reliable railway for the millions of passengers who use this section of railway every year."

"There are still a further four weekends of work to come, starting with the next closure over the Christmas period.

"There is never a good time to close the railway but this work is essential to provide a reliable railway for the millions of passengers who use this section of railway every year."

Plans are currently underway ahead of the next West Coast main line closure at Watford, which will take place between Christmas Eve and Monday 29 December.

The August closures form a part of eight weekend and bank holiday closures, which will take place until April 2015 to improve railways along the Watford section.


Image: Work at Watford. Photo: courtesy of Network Rail.