Work to prepare for an upgrade to the track through Ashtead station and level crossing in Surrey starts next week, with work taking place every night.
There will be some late-night preparation and follow-up work taking place from Monday 31 August to Friday 4 September to get ready for the vital upgrade which startson Saturday 5 September until the early morning of Monday 7 September.
During that weekend, no Southern or South Western Railway trains will run between Epsom and Dorking/Effingham Junction.
The level crossing will be closed to traffic and because this is the only access to houses on Links Road and connecting streets north of the railway, a special minibus has been set-up to run from the station to people’s homes.
Engineers from Network Rail and Colas Rail UK will replace old track and wooden sleepers with modern alternatives and corrosion resistant versions of the track and sleepers will be installed through the level crossing to reduce the need for future maintenance work at this challenging location.
They will also reduce the gap between the train and platform to make getting on and off the train easier and safer for passengers.
Mark Killick Network Rail Wessex route director, said: “I am sorry there will be some inconvenience to Ashtead residents before and during the weekend of 5 September, but we will work to keep disruption and noise levels to a minimum.
“Our engineers will carry out vital maintenance and upgrades to Woodfield Lane level crossing that we would not be possible overnight, that will reduce the need for future work and make it easier and safer to get on and off the train.”
Chris Fowler, customer services director for Southern and Gatwick Express, said: “We welcome the safety and reliability improvements this work will bring for our customers, and we thank them for their patience while it is carried out.”
Alan Penlington, South Western Railway’s customer experience director, said: “Network Rail’s maintenance work is crucial to running a reliable railway.
“During these works we’re running replacement buses so we can keep our customers moving, so we’d ask our customers to check their journey before they travel.”
Mizan Ally, production Manager for South Rail Systems Alliance said: “The works are critical to replace a life expired asset. We will improve reliability and resilience to the network providing a better passenger experience.
“We will aim to keep the disruption to a minimum and would like to thank the passengers and residents for their patience while we work.”
There will be replacement bus services between Epsom and Dorking and Epsom and Effingham Junction. A minibus will take residents on the north side of the crossing between the station and their home if required and will depart from the north side of the station footbridge. A dedicated telephone line for passengers to request the bus will also be set-up.
Throughout the weekend, there will be full and partial road closures, with at times only single file vehicle access with traffic light control. Pedestrians will be diverted through an underpass, but the two footbridges and the pedestrian foot crossing will remain open during the work.
Residents will be able to park at Ashtead station car park for free from just after midnight on Friday 4 September until the end of the day on Monday 7 September.
We are also making all the necessary arrangements with emergency services in case access is required while the work takes place.
For more information, please see our webpage: networkrail.co.uk/Ashtead
Photo credit: Network Rail
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