EU to co-finance preparatory works for Great Western Main Line electrification

The European Union will support with over €11 million from its TEN-T Programme a project to lay the groundwork for the electrification of a key section of British rail infrastructure.

The project, which was selected for funding under the 2012 TEN-T Annual Call, consists of the preparatory works for rail electrification to 25,000 Volts between the cities of Maidenhead (west of London) to Newbury and Oxford and, further west, to Bath and Bristol. It will involve clearance works, earthworks, bridge parapet works and the provision of access points for the main construction site, ahead of the electrification of the section of track.

Additionally, the project also includes significant freight gauge clearance works which will provide vastly improved intermodal rail-freight capacity from the south coast on to the Great Western Main Line.

Once completed, the project will allow for new rolling stock to be introduced on this section of the network, leading to reduced journey times, additional capacity and comfort for passengers as well as a reduction in CO2 emissions.

The project, which will be monitored by the Trans-European Transport Network Executive Agency (TEN-T EA) is set to be completed by the end of 2015.