Friday
30th March 2001, 0955 BST
Weekend
work on Severn Tunnel |
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The
Severn tunnel is to close this weekend and most weekends until the
end of May as Railtrack begins work to improve the track.
The investment is part of a £6m programme of works by Railtrack
this year on the tunnel. It claims the investment will safeguard the
future of the Severn tunnel, the main line link between South Wales
and London.
Errol Jones
from Railtrack said the work on the tunnel is vital if it is to stay
open during the week.
"It is part of a major reinvestment programme by Railtrack,"
explained Mr Jones.
"The Severn Tunnel itself has stood the test of time. It is almost
120-years-old. It has been identified by Railtrack several years ago
that it is in need of tender loving care.
"The company has decided to invest a huge amount of money in
renewing the track in the tunnel. It will improve the track quality
because of course the environment inside the tunnel is extremely harsh."
The work could improve journey times over the next two to three years.
As the FA cup is being held in Cardiff on May the 12th, engineering
work for that weekend has been suspended. |
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