Noise levels produced by trains travelling through Shenfield station will be significantly reduced following track renewal work soon to be carried out by Network Rail. This will allow those who live nearby to have quieter nights.

Around £6million is being invested to replace switches and crossings across all four tracks in the station area. The new design creates less noise as the trains travel over them. They require less maintenance than the old types, reducing the need for closures on the line. Shenfield is an important junction for the Greater Anglia route where trains switch tracks to go to the Southend branch or continue on towards Norwich.

The works are scheduled to take place in phases starting from Sat 25 August 2007 until March 2008*.

David Wilks, Network Rail’s South East Territory Maintenance Director said: “This investment is part of our huge national programme to deliver improvements to the network. We are writing to residents today to let them know about the works. We appreciate their patience and cooperation whilst we carry it out. Some of the works will be a little noisy, but those living close by will reap the benefits of a quieter railway once we are completed.”

As well as letters being sent out, Network Rail will be holding a special question and answer session for residents at Shenfield station on Tuesday 21 August at 17.00.

Notes:
* Phase 1 – Sat 25 August 2007 06.00 to Tues 28 August 2007 04.00
Work in this phase will be carried out adjacent to Friars Avenue and Herington Grove, and certain residences in Friars Close, Hutton Road, Willow Close and Mount Avenue may also be affected.

Phase 2 – Sat 1 September 2007 06.00 to Mon 3 September 2007 04.30 and Sat 8 September 2007 06.00 to Mon 10 September 2007 04.30
Work in this phase will be carried out adjacent to Hunter Avenue and Alexander Lane, and certain residences in Rayleigh Road, Hutton Road, Mount Avenue, Willow Close and Herington Grove may also be affected.

Phases 3, 4 and 5 – These works will be carried out over a ten day period from 02.00 on 23 December 2007 to 04.30 on 2 January 2008.

Phase 6 – This will take place on two weekends in March 2008.