Engineering work to finalise repairs after Salisbury train crash takes place this weekend
Passenger warned to expect disruption
Last updated 14th Dec 2021
If you are travelling to or from Salisbury by train this Saturday 18th December, you're being urged to check train timetables as engineering works will be taking place.
The work is to complete repairs to the track following the city's train crash, between a South Western Railway and Great Western Railway train back in October.
Network Rail say it will be carried out during the morning and is expected to finish at 2pm.
The track running through the Fisherton tunnel has been replaced but engineers need to check the track is aligned.
It is normal for track replacement work to be followed up a few weeks later to check it has naturally "settled" as trains run over it.
This process is called 'tamping' and normally the checks would be carried out on a quiet day but as the works were an emergency after the incident, Network Rail Wessex say Saturday is the 'least-worst day' for this.
Replacement bus services will be running between Salisbury and Andover, Romsey, Southampton until the early afternoon.
Network Rail’s route director for Wessex, Mark Killick, said: “I’m really sorry for this extra disruption so close to Christmas. When we replace track as part of our planned work, we make sure we come in a few weeks later to make sure the track is still aligned properly. In this instance, we’ve had to find a day when there’s little other work going on across the area, to keep disruption to a minimum for customers.
“Although I realise it’s not ideal, there will be a bus replacement service in the morning, with trains back in the afternoon, and I’d ask customers to check before they travel.”