A £10 million transformation of the Severn Tunnel has been completed following 16 days of round-the-clock work.
The track renewal in the 138-year-old tunnel was the largest in living memory, with the entire 7km (4.3 miles) of track in the Wales-bound direction being replaced.
During the 16-day renewal project , engineers installed almost 11,000 sleepers, more than 22,000 tonnes of new ballast, and 16 rails, each 216 metres in length. The team also removed 21,000 tonnes of spoil.
Despite the scale of the project, Network Rail confirmed that the work was completed both on time and within budget.
The completion of this work also means that the entire track within the Severn Tunnel has been renewed in the last two years.
Nick Millington, Network Rail Wales and Borders route director, said: “We are committed to providing lower-carbon and reliable rail transport between South Wales and England – and this major track renewal on such a busy route is a significant part of that.
“I would like to pay tribute to the dedication and skill of the Network Rail teams and our contractors, who worked 24/7 in challenging conditions to safely deliver the largest track replacement in the tunnel for many years.”
Rich Middleton, GWR Wales development manager, said: “The Severn Tunnel is key to providing quick, consistent and reliable services into Wales and we are really pleased that while investing in our railway the work has been completed in a timely manner.”
Further to the track renewal in the Severn Tunnel, engineers also replaced 900 metres of track at Cattybrook, Almondsbury, while more than 230 metres of track drainage was replaced at Patchway Gap near Bristol.
Image credit: Network Rail
