Spencer Rail remains on course to complete major works to extend platforms at 48 stations in the Wessex region.
Works on the Wessex Package 7 Platform Extension programme took another leap forwards this weekend after Spencer Rail’s Civils team completed in excess of 400 shifts across nine of the 48 stations.
There was a big focus on ensuring that all platforms will be substantially complete by March 31 and, thanks to the successful works, Spencer Rail remains on course to achieve that milestone.
Sam Wadsworth, Programme Director at Spencer Rail, said: “Our focus has been on making as much use of the access as possible at Earlsfield Station to allow our Civils team to drive this forward behind the fencing this week and completing as much as possible with no available access at Clapham Junction.”
Highlights from the weekend include:
• Earlsfield – construction of a track side riser wall.
• Vauxhall – installation of the remaining GRP on Platform 7 and Platform 8.
• Clapham Junction – removal of ramps as well as the excavation and pouring of foundations.
• Berrylands – completion of the transition area.
• Kingston – loading out of all steel and GRP to allow installation to commence.
• Raynes Park – breaking down of the ramp in preparation for bridge installation.
The Wessex rail route is one of the busiest and most congested routes on the entire UK network.
It is a major commuter area, providing long-distance services from the south and south-west of England to London Waterloo and carries a significant amount of freight to the south coast ports.
The Wessex Package 7 Platform Extension programme forms part of a wider plan which aims to allow the operation of longer trains on key routes within the south east of England to deliver a higher passenger capacity into major London terminus stations.
Delivered in four-station batches, with more than 2,500m of platform being constructed, Spencer Rail is responsible for the renewal of more than 1,400m of plain line, the installation of seven point ends (three crossovers and one turnout) as well as the fitting of new and transposed conductor rails to a length of more than 2,600m.
Along the way, 39 new signals will be installed as well as 49 new location cabinets with all associated fit out and cabling, together with 11 DNO upgrades.
