The railway between Monmouthshire and South Gloucestershire through the Severn Tunnel reopened on Monday 19 June 2023 following a ten-day closure to improve the reliability of the line.
Teams from Network Rail, Colas Rail and a number of subcontractors worked a total of 17,000 hours, night and day, to replace the worn and corroded track, which will reduce the need for emergency repairs. During that time, they installed 3.2km of new track, 5,200 new sleepers and 13,000 tonnes of ballast.
Originally built around 150-years-ago, conditions in the Severn Tunnel are some of the most challenging that Network Rail faces, due to the harsh salt-water conditions that make for a corrosive environment. This means the track, that usually lasts 25 years, needs to be replaced every ten. The new sleepers will be coated in tin to extend their life.
Mark Dix, project manager at Network Rail Wales & Borders, said: “The Severn Tunnel is a vital rail link for passengers and freight between Wales and England – around 32,000 trains travel through the tunnel each year.
“Although working in the 150-year-old-tunnel presents some unique challenges, such as water and corrosion, we are determined to continuously maintain the railway to keep trains running.“
The bulk of the renewal has been completed, with one more closure on Sunday 25 June to go.
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