OREANDA-NEWS. The residents of Pilning, South Gloucestershire, are invited to attend a drop-in event to find out more about Network Rail’s Railway Upgrade Plan which will mean faster, greener, quieter and more reliable journeys for thousands of passengers.

Network Rail’s electrification project will see the Great Western mainline between London Paddington and South Wales upgraded with the line passing through the village of Pilning.

As work in the area is set to begin a drop-in event will take place on Tuesday 11 October from 5pm to 7.30pm at St Peter’s Primary School, Bank Road. Members of the Network Rail project team will be on-hand to explain more about the work and to answer any questions.

Dean Shaw from Network Rail said: “I’d like to thank the local community in advance for their patience and understanding while we carry out these essential improvements to upgrade and modernise Brunel’s railway.

“The work in Pilning is an essential part of our Railway Upgrade Plan and will pave the way for electric trains and the benefits these will bring to passengers and the wider public. These benefits include faster trains with more seats and more legroom, and less noise and cleaner air for those who live close to the railway line.

“Everyone is welcome at our drop-in event and I’d urge anyone who wants to know more about our work, or has a question, to come along.”

For Network Rail to electrify the line they need to remove the footbridge at Pilning station, to make way for the Overhead Line Equipment (OLE) that will power the new fleet of electric trains. Work on the footbridge is expected to start on Monday 24 October and finish by Friday 16 December. The bridge will not be replaced but the station will continue to offer two services on a Saturday with passengers advised to check before they travel after October 29.

The parapets, or sides, of Marsh Common Bridge will also be raised to provide a barrier between its users and the high-voltage power lines. Work on this is due to start in January 2017 and will involve a lane closure with traffic lights overnight, subject to approval from South Gloucestershire Council.

An electricity feeder station will also be built on Network Rail land, next to Cross Hands Road, to provide power. Work on this part of the project is due to take place between January and October 2017.