From
The Telegraph, via MSNRail lines should be shut for weeks on end during the quieter summer months to perform critical engineering works and upgrades, a former transport secretary has said.
Lord McLoughlin, transport secretary between 2012 and 2016, said that disruption on the railways during Christmas, Easter and other Bank Holidays could then be avoided.
And how would his lordship recommend I get to the beach? Should I wait until Winter? Less chance of sun burn I suppose.
Good time, perhaps, for a review - though I suspect some is done already and more is to come as the balance of rail use moves from commute towards leisure. Let's speculate ... 12 months, 12 routes and one closure each month which will even it out for the engineering team. Of course, it would mean 11 of the 12 lines open on 26th December
1. January
2. February
3. March
4. April
5. May
6. June
7. July
8. August
9. September
10. October
11. November
12. December
And which month would you close each of these for, for a week or two if needed?
A. Severn Tunnel
B. Fast lines Twyford to Reading
C. Newton Abbott to Paignton
D. Thingley Junction to Bradford Junction
E. Cogload Junction to Weston-super-Mare
F. Dorking to Reigate
G. West Ealing to Greenford
H. Oxford to Evesham
I. Stapleton Road to Avonmouth
J. Yeovil Pen Mill to Weymouth
K. Bathampton to Bradford (Junction)
L. St Budeaux to Salt-ash