The work will allow a second route out of the docks to to take trains carrying larger freight containers when the main line is unavailable.
The diversionary route runs from Southampton to Basingstoke via Romsey and Andover, supplementing the Eastleigh to Romsey line.
Upgrading requires 17 bridges to be knocked down and rebuilt, track alterations at 11 locations and adjustments to station canopies at Andover, Romsey and Whitchurch. Two redundant bridges will be demolished without being replaced and three further bridges will be modified without having to rebuild them.
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Eight of the 17 bridges being knocked down and rebuilt carry public highways across the railway. The remaining structures are on private roads, or public bridleways or footpaths. The first pieces of work are due to start in August 2011 and the whole project is scheduled for completion by June 2013.
“It is important that the food, clothing, electronics and other consumer goods which arrive into Southampton in containers can make their onward journeys by rail at all times to stock shops around the country,” said Network Rail’s route managing director for Wessex Richard O’Brien.
“Following the recent upgrade of the mainline, we expect increasing amounts of these goods to be shipped in larger, modern containers as this keeps thousands of lorries off the roads, and is the quickest, greenest and most efficient way of transporting them around the country. It is vital we provide an alternative route out of the port for those occasions when we carry out improvement works to the main line so we can offer a reliable service for businesses around Britain.”
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