Portsmouth railway line reopens after week-long closure - and £2m of repairs
The railway line in Portsmouth has been reopened after being closed all week.
Just in time for the Easter bank holiday weekend, Network Rail and South Western Railway (SWR) has reopened the line running between Portsmouth Harbour, and Portsmouth and Southsea, having pumped £2m into improving the infrastructure south of Fareham and Havant stations.
This includes replacing 62 wheel timbers between Portsmouth and Southsea, and Portsmouth Harbour, stations; structural repairs to Portcreek Viaduct; repairs to cable troughing between Farlington and Cosham; and refurbishment work on the footbridge at Fratton station.
Infrastructure director Tom McNamee said: “We’d like to thank passengers for their patience and understanding while we carried out these vital improvements to the railway in Portsmouth.
“By replacing aging assets and carrying out work on critical bridges and viaducts, passengers will benefit from smoother and more reliable journeys through the area.
“Once signalling upgrades are completed in 2028, passengers will profit from a railway that is more responsive, through integrated communication at the Basingstoke Rail Operating Centre.”
Work to upgrade signalling was also carried out during the week - but the work is far from over, and more closures are on the way.
The next line closure is planned between Monday, May 25, and Friday, May 29, with a further closure in the autumn.