Network Rail announced that the London Overground line between Gospel Oak and Barking will reopen to passengers on 27 February, following a phased eight-month closure to electrify the route. However the installation of all of the overhead wires has not been completed on time and more work is required.
Network Rail set about modernising the old Victorian infrastructure in June 2016, as part of its Railway Upgrade Plan and the work was due to be completed at the end of February. Along the 22.5 km route, a number of the structures, which carry the overhead lines, were incorrectly designed and couldn’t be installed at the planned locations. Late delivery of materials and structures also led to further delays.
A robust plan is being put in place by Network Rail to complete the work before the new electric trains arrive in early 2018.
The work will not affect the reopening of the line to diesel trains, as planned, on 27 February.
The upgrade will enable four carriage electric trains, which are currently being built by Bombardier, to operate along the route from early 2018, doubling capacity and replacing the existing two carriage diesel trains.
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