Network Rail will invest £81 million to upgrade tracks, signals, fences, and overhead lines along 8 miles of the West Coast Mainline through Watford from 2014 to 2015. This will include laying new tracks, renewing signals between Kings Langley and Bushey, installing 175km of fencing, and upgrading junctions and platforms at Watford Junction. To enable this work, the line will be closed for five periods over holiday weekends rather than having 54 weekend closures.

1. West Coast Mainline
Engineering Work in the
Watford Area 2014/15

2. What’s happening?
• Network Rail’s £81m scheme to
tackle the most common causes of
delay
• During the work; 8 miles of track
through Watford is blocked
• Train operators agree with Network
Rail that five long closures at
holiday periods is preferable to the
alternative of 54 complete
weekend closures of the line
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3. What’s the plan?
• To install 175km of new fencing to
stop farm animals getting onto the
line, discouraging trespass and
helping to reduce cable theft
• All signalling between Kings Langley
& Bushey will be renewed
• Over 15km (9 miles) of new track will
be laid
• An upgrade of the overhead line
equipment
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4. What’s the plan?
• New junctions to link the
West Coast Mainline to
London Overground lines
between Watford and Euston
to allow maintenance while
keeping train services
running.
• Platform 10 at Watford
Junction will be modified to
allow longer trains to be
stabled
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5. Dates and times of the works
• 2014:
– 04.30 Sat 3 May to 10.30 Mon 5 May (Bank Holiday)
– 04.30 Sat 9 Aug to 12.00 Mon 25 Aug (Bank Holiday)
– 23.00 Wed 24 Dec to 04.00 Mon 29 Dec
• 2015:
– 02.00 Sat 14 Feb through to 06.00 Mon 23 Feb
– 02.10 Fri 3 Apr to 06.00 Tue 7 Apr
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6. Dates and times of the works
• 2014:
– 04.30 Sat 3 May to 10.30 Mon 5 May (Bank Holiday)
– 04.30 Sat 9 Aug to 12.00 Mon 25 Aug (Bank Holiday)
– 23.00 Wed 24 Dec to 04.00 Mon 29 Dec
• 2015:
– 02.00 Sat 14 Feb through to 06.00 Mon 23 Feb
– 02.10 Fri 3 Apr to 06.00 Tue 7 Apr
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