£5bn investment programme for Great Western rail route announced

Funding will provide more seats and improve journeys

Network Rail has announced a £5bn investment programme for the Great Western main line.

Electrification, resignalling and new trains will improve journeys and provide the extra capacity needed to cater for a predicted 51 per cent increase in passengers travelling on the route over the next 30 years.

The investment will also potentially bring new rail journey opportunities for key urban centres, including Reading, Oxford, Swindon, Bath and Bristol, boosting these economies by an additional £200m.



A recent survey of more than 800 passengers and businesses found that having more seats on trains was by far the most desired improvement, followed by improved punctuality and shorter journey times.



The same survey found that the majority of people think the improvement will help boost the local economy, underlining the link between fast, efficient rail links and economic growth.

David Higgins, chief executive of Network Rail, said: "The planned improvements will provide a bigger and better railway for passengers, help support and drive economic growth and allow our regions to thrive."

"By the end of the decade, the Great Western main line will be the most advanced intercity railway in Britain, setting the standard for twenty-first century rail and providing the capacity we need to cater for the continued increase in the popularity of rail travel."



Further information:
Network Rail