Work is continuing on a major railway electrification project in Wiltshire.

Network Rail engineers are set to start installing piles in Chippenham, which are used to support cables that will allow electric trains to run, over the Christmas period.

The work is taking place on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day as the railway network is typically 50% quieter, allowing for substantial work to be carried out.

The piling work will take place on Christmas Eve from Bath Road to the B4528 railway bridge, on Christmas Day from Bath Road to Ivy Lane and on Boxing Day from Ladyfield Road to Chippenham station.

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Tom Boreham, Scheme Project Manager for Network Rail, said: "The period over Christmas when no trains are running is a vital time for us to upgrade the railway. It allows us more working time so we can achieve greater numbers of installed foundations per shift, which means we haven’t got to return to the area over a prolonged period of time."

As part of the project, a number of community engagement sessions are being held to provide the public with more information on the scheme.

These will take place on the following dates.

• 10am – 5pm: Town Centre, Wednesday, 07 December.

• 9am – 12noon: Olympiad Leisure Centre, Saturday, 10 December.

• 7am – 10am and 4pm – 7pm: Chippenham Station, Monday, 12 December.

• 10am – 5pm: Town Centre / Market Day, Friday, 16 December.

• 7am – 10am and 4pm – 7pm: Chippenham Station, Monday, 19 December.

(LM/CD)