NETWORK Rail has unveiled a year-long programme of works around Swindon station as the electrification programme arrives in the town from next month.

But they have promised to keep disruption to residents living nearby to a minimum as they carry out drilling for the new electric pylons.

The Greater West Programme is being implemented to transform the mainline from London Paddington to Swansea to bring Brunel’s railway into the 21st century, and will pave the way for the long-awaited new longer, electric intercity trains which are currently undergoing testing.

Network Rail contractors are expected on site at Swindon railway station from next month where they will be carrying out a number of works to prepare the station for the arrival of the new high-speed services. This will see them extend Platform 1, where services for Cheltenham typically depart from, which is currently too short for the new nine and ten car trains.

They will also be installing the overhead line equipment through the station, including masts, booms and the wires, which will require some of the canopies to be cut back to make way for them, as well as removing and replacing four signal gantries dating from the 1960s and 70s.

A Network Rail spokesman said: “In order to keep disruption to train services to a minimum, most of our work will take place overnight and over weekends when fewer trains are running. The station will remain open for the majority of the work. However, please check before you travel.

“We recognise that our work can be disruptive to those living or working nearby. Some disturbance is unavoidable, but please be assured that every effort is made to minimise any unnecessary noise and we have reminded all staff and contractors to be considerate of the environment they are working in.”

On Thursday evening Network Rail held a public drop-in session at UTC Swindon to outline the plans to residents. On hand to answer questions were senior sponsor Michelle Scoggins and project manager David Brown.

Michelle explained a lot of work had already been carried out on the route to prepare other stations for the arrival of the new electric trains, which were a slightly different shape to the current High Speed Trains, to ensure there was sufficient clearance between the train and the platforms. “We will be extending platform one by about 10 metres – it’s minor but it does mean that all platforms will be compliant with the new trains,” she said.