Network Rail is due to carry out a £14.5 million improvement project on the rail network in the south west and Thames Valley.

The scheme is part of the company's £40 billion Railway Upgrade Plan and will begin on Friday, 29 April.

Features of the project include:

• Installing a new bridge at Broad Town Road in Royal Wootton Bassett in preparation for electrification.

• Installing the foundations for the overhead electrification equipment at various locations in the south west and Thames Valley.

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• Installing the overhead electrification equipment in the Thames Valley.

• Station and track improvements at Southall and Hayes & Harlington stations as part of the Crossrail project.

• Installing a new set of points on the approach to Paddington station.

In addition, 1,523 concrete sleepers will be installed, over 13,000 tones of ballast will be laid and 28 engineering trains will be used to carry out the work.

Mark Langman, Network Rail's MD for the Western Route, said: "Our work this May forms a key part of our Railway Upgrade Plan to meet surging demand and improve and expand our congested railway network."

(LM)