Network Rail begin Salisbury to Yeovil line upgrades
The route is set to be closed for the next 16 days
Network Rail are starting reliability upgrades to the line between Salisbury and Yeovil today (Saturday 25th November), with the line being closed for 16 days.
Travellers are reminded to check before they travel and a replacement bus service will be in place at Salisbury and Tisbury stations.
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio, Jeff Rose, Network Rail's Blockades Director for the South, says they've aimed for as little disruption as possible.
"We're doing this in the most efficient way possible," he said, adding: "Had we not done it this way, we'd have been talking about multiple closures for a very long period of time."
Almost 2000m of track needs to be completely taken up and all elements replaced, a job made much tougher as there's just a single line to work with - which is also the one being replaced.
"We can't bring engineering trains alongside the track as we normally would," Jeff said, "We have to work on the single line, so the line that we're working on and wanting to travel on is the is the line that we're trying to dig up as well. So we have to do it from one end."
Jeff explained to us that, despite multiple maintenance projects, various sections of the line have simply come to the end of their lifespans.
Engineers will be working around the clock to complete the half-a-million pound investment, which is hoped to improve reliability and performance.
And Jeff added that the aim is to return the line to service at it's normal speed too, rather than with a speed limit being imposed.
Mark Killick, Wessex route Director for Network Rail, had this message for customers:
"These upgrades are crucial for the safe and reliable running of services on the West of England line in the future and I’m grateful to customers for their patience and understanding during this time.”