1. Possessions Update Great Western Railway Andy McRae
Senior Possession Delivery & Communications Manager
26 June 2019

2. GWR Possession Team Comprehensive business readiness service
Dedicated Project Manager, supported by up to eight departmental representatives
Focus on customer experience, communications, robust plan
Adherence to timescales, cost efficiency, continuous improvement
Consistency
GWR/NR alliance

3. 2018 – The Year of Transformation
27 weekday blocks affecting much of the GWR network:
New signalling in Bristol and Filton 4-tracking
Electrification Didcot to Bristol Parkway
Patchway/Severn Tunnel Junction area electrification
Flood alleviation in Devon
North Cotswolds platform extensions
Oxford track works/signals
Electrification to Newbury
Westbury North Jct renewal

4. 2019 – The Year of Maintenance
- 8 weekday possessions
- 11 “significant” weekends
- 135 “other” weekend possessions
Whiteball tunnel concrete lining
Bedminster and Avon Valley Track renewals
Gloucester West Junction renewal
Tarka Line track renewals
Cogload Junction renewal
South Wales electrification

5. Christmas 2019 24-27 Dec – Affects trains to/from London Paddington
25 Dec to 1 Jan –Newport junction renewal
25-31 Dec – Guildford Bridge repairs
25-27 Dec – Exeter St Davids track renewals

6. Notable possessions in 2020
From Jan - 80 miles of track renewals in WofE
Feb - Hayle viaduct plus St Erth, Penzance and Camborne stations – 9 days
Feb – Barnstaple branch structures work – 6 days
Mar – bridge work Castle Cary-Taunton – 16 days
Mar – track renewals West Ealing – Sunday nights
Apr – Westbury avoider track renewals – 4 days
Apr – Gipsy Patch Lane bridge widening – 12 days
From May – Bristol East enabling works
From May – track renewals from Newton Abbot west
Aug – Swindon to Bristol Parkway track lowers
Oct to Nov – Exmouth Junction
Dec – Truro-Penzance – 4 days
Dec to Jan – Bristol Temple Meads roof refurb – 16 days

7. Notable possessions in 2021
Jan – HS2 works commence
Jan to Feb – St Ives branch track renewals – 35 days
Feb to Mar – bridge renewal – 16 days Liskeard to Truro
Jun to Sept – Bristol East junction renewal
Sept – Bristol Temple Meads roof refurb – 16 days

8. Year on year comparison
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020*
2021*
Weekday Blocks 6 13 27 8 9*
10*
“Significant” Weekend Blocks 11
Not yet categorised
“Other” Weekend Blocks 3 44 55
135
80*
156*
Total Managed possessions 9 57 82
152
89*
166*
* Various possessions still TBC

9. Activity affecting TransWilts
Salisbury to Southampton closed 21/22 Sept, and 27 Oct
Warminster to Southampton closed 29 Sep, 19/20 Oct, and Dec
Frome to Taunton closed 19/20 Oct
No further Melksham line closures in 2019
2020
Four consecutive Sundays in January for bridge repairs
Two weekends in October for Melksham drainage work

10. Communication strategy
Focus on:
Point of Sale
Journey Checkers (GWR.com, NRES)
Posters at targeted locations
Transformation Displays

11. Communication strategy
Focus on:
Stakeholder engagement
Community Rail initiatives
Link into the December timetable

12. December 2019 Timetable Change
Realising the potential of electrification and the full benefit of Intercity Express Trains:
New services
Greater frequency
Faster journeys
Possession activity remains key