Train lines could close for engineering works

Department for Transport tells Network
Rail to consider closures in order to
speed up improvement works.
Entire train lines could be shut down to enable
major engineering work to take place, it has
emerged.
The radical approach would replace the manner in
which repairs and upgrades are currently carried out
on bank holidays and overnight, which can be a
slow and laborious process and causes chaos in the
holidays.
It has been mooted by Patrick McLoughlin, the
transport secretary, who praised a five-week
shutdown of Nottingham station in 2013 as an
example of the best way to carry out engineering
work.
"Why do we insist on doing engineering
works at night, over a very long period,
rather than putting in place quicker,
ambitious plans for reconstruction?"
Patrick McLoughlin
He has said there should be "quicker, ambitious
plans for major reconstruction," according to The
Times.
His comments amid concerns about huge delays and
spiralling costs for some projects, including the
electrification of the Great Western mainline.
Yet they will strike fear into commuters already
subjected to long delays, cancellations and over-
crowded trains.
In a speech this week, Mr McLoughlin reportedly
said: "Why do we insist on doing engineering works
at night, over a very long period, rather than
putting in place quicker, ambitious plans for
reconstruction with proper alternatives and
information for passengers?"
Sir Peter Hendy, the chairman of Network Rail, told
The Times that there was likely to be more
wholesale closures of railway lines, adding: "The
secretary of state is encouraging us to do more of
that and he's right."
Network Rail is undertaking 450 separate
improvement projects, which almost all take place at
night or over bank holidays.
It announced on Thursday that more than 450
separate improvement projects would be carried out
over the Easter weekend.
The improvements are part of Network Rail’s
£40bn upgrade plan.