The station at Goring & Streatley with the new footbridge and electrification in progress
In the 2010s Network Rail modernised the Great Western Main Line, the South Wales Main Line, and other associated lines. The modernisation plans were announced at separate times but their implementation overlapped in the 2010s.
The work included electrification, resignalling, new rolling stock and station upgrades. The programme began in June 2010 and at that time was due to end in 2017.[1] The project was completed in 2020, allowing electric services to run between London Paddington and Cardiff.[2]
The project had several delays.[3] Four sections were deferred indefinitely:[3][4]
Oxford to Didcot Parkway
Bristol Parkway to Bristol Temple Meads
Thingley Junction, near Chippenham, to Bath Spa and Bristol Temple Meads
Thames Valley branches to Henley and Windsor[5][6]
The Cardiff to Swansea electrification was cancelled in 2017.[7]
Under the Intercity Express Programme (IEP), 21 electric Class 801 trains were ordered as replacements for the ageing InterCity 125 diesels. In May 2016 it was confirmed that the new trains would be built as 'bi-mode' Class 800s instead, meaning they can run on either diesel power or electric overhead wire.[8]
^"Modernising the Great Western" (PDF). Network Rail. June 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 April 2013. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
^"Network Rail completes Great Western electrification". International Railway Journal. 5 June 2020. Archived from the original on 18 June 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
^ abCite error: The named reference bbc-20161108 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Paul Maynard (8 November 2016). "Written statement to Parliament, Rail update: rail investment in the Great Western route". gov.uk. Archived from the original on 8 November 2016. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
^Topham, Gwyn (21 October 2015). "Cost of Great Western mainline electrification project triples to £2.8bn". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 16 July 2021. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
^"Great Western electrification projects deferred". Railway Gazette International. London. 8 November 2016. Archived from the original on 28 December 2016. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
^Barry, Sion (20 July 2017). "UK Government scraps rail electrification plans to Swansea". Wales On Line. Archived from the original on 14 August 2017. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
^Wilkinson, Michael (8 November 2016). "£3bn plans to electrify Great Western rail route to be delayed by six years". The Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 28 December 2016. Retrieved 28 December 2016.
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