Train services on the branch line to Lymington in Hampshire resumed this morning, Monday, 4th November, after a week’s closure so that vital improvements to the track.

The improvements to nearly a mile of the line, which runs between Brockenhurst and Lymington Pier, will significantly improve its reliability and reduce its susceptibility to faults.

After the new track was laid, a sticky sand-like gel was applied to the lines to improve adhesion, especially during wet and slippery conditions. The gel was applied by a specially converted Land Rover, known as a Sand Rover, capable of travelling on both roads and railway lines.

To extend the time before the rails start to corrode, they were also coated with a substance that helps to improve their service life in coastal environments.

Train services on the branch will be disrupted again for an extended period from 21st Saturday, December 2024 until Monday, 6th January 2025 so that engineers can carry out work to improve the viaduct’s durability and its long-time ability to carry trains safely and reliably over Lymington River.

The coastal exposure of the Lymington branch was highlighted when South Western Railway suspended services on the branch during last year’s Storm Ciarán. In 2022, Lymington Town and Lymington Pier stations were two of 57 stations repainted by South Western Railway.

“We appreciate passengers’ patience during this period and are sorry for any inconvenience caused by the work. This maintenance was crucial for the continued safe and reliable operation of the Lymington branch line. “Throughout the project, we worked closely with our train operator partner, South Western Railway, and Wightlink Ferry company to ensure passengers could continue their journeys seamlessly. We will maintain close collaboration with our partners to ensure the Christmas closure also runs smoothly.”

Mark Goodall, Network Rail’s Wessex route director