Rail line closes for half-term works

The railway between Staines and Windsor will close for a week during the half-term holiday while engineers carry out maintenance work.

South Western Railway services between Staines and Windsor & Eton Riverside stations will not run from 26 October until 2 November.

Rail replacement buses and diverted services will operate while the line is closed.

Network Rail said the closure would allow several jobs to be completed at the same time to reduce future disruption for passengers.

Wraysbury, Sunnymeads and Datchet stations are included in the seven-day closure.

Services at Feltham, Ashford and Egham will also be affected on 31 October and 1 November because of separate work on the line between Hounslow and Virginia Water.

Network Rail said residents living near the railway could see more workers on site and hear additional construction noise during the project.

The work includes renewing large "old" wooden blocks that carry trains over Mustard Hill Bridge and refurbishing switches and crossings in Staines.

By not addressing the wheel timbers now, Network Rail said it would "need to reduce the speed of trains over the bridge, creating longer journeys and delays."

Meanwhile, it said the work on switches and crossings at Staines will reduce the risk of delays from faulty equipment.

"We thank passengers and local communities for their patience while the work takes place."

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