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Statement on the cost of the Great Western Electrification Programme
date 22 October 2015 source Network Rail type Statement
A Network Rail spokesperson said: “The Great Western Electrification Programme will transform Brunel’s railway to enable passengers and those who live close to the railway line to benefit from a new fleet of longer, faster, quieter and greener electric trains.
“Electrifying the Great Western Mainline is an extremely complex task that is being delivered whilst continuing to run an operational railway. It also involves a new design of overhead line equipment, which has been created to be the safest, most reliable and easiest-maintained system ever seen on a UK railway. This is more expensive in the short-term but far better in the long-term both for passengers and the taxpayer.
“In bringing our Victorian railway into the 21st century, we are working closely with lineside neighbours and communities across a huge range of issues. This has also increased our costs, but we care about our neighbours and want to minimise any disruption to them.”
