ONE of the biggest rail improvement schemes for years has got under way in a Hampshire town.

Over the weekend workers began work on the £5m project to replace nine sets of points, the crossings which allow trains to move between lines, as well as 240 metres of track around Fareham.

It will also There will also be a £1m upgrade to the town’s station.

Network Rail and Hampshire County Council are jointly investing the cash that will pay for upgrades to a number of areas, including a resurfaced forecourt, improved station access, a new accessible toilet on the island platform, and upgrades to the existing island platform toilets upgrade.

It means that the the line through Fareham will need to close for nine days, re-opening for passengers on October 31.

During this time a bus replacement service is operating and passengers are advised to check before they travel.

Fareham Borough Council leader Sean Woodward visited the works on the Saturday and met some of the engineers.

Cllr Woodward said: “I was extremely impressed by the detailed planning that has gone into this project.

“This work to the backbone of our local rail network in Fareham is critical to the safe and timely running of the railway upon which tens of thousands of our residents depend daily, and which is integral to the growth and prosperity of the South Hampshire economic area.”

MP Suella Fernandes also visited the site over the weekend.

She said: "South West Trains will also make improvements to the station at Fareham, with the installation of a new cycle hub, a new accessible toilet and improvements to the station forecourt."

Following the visit, Suella said: “Many people in Fareham have contacted me about issues on the Fareham line, including long delays and disruption to journeys which for people who use the service on a day-to-day basis can impact negatively on their quality of life.

"I have lobbied the Government and National Rail for improvements to the line and it is great to see that they have responded with some much needed upgrades to rail lines around Fareham. 

"The upgrades will lead to a better service in the Fareham area – a patch which has received little investment for many years – and will make a real change for passengers in Fareham.

"However there are still many improvements to be made.

"The lack of proper disabled access at stations in the Fareham area, particularly at Portchester and Swanwick stations, is a real concern, making it almost impossible for wheelchair users and those with pushchairs or requiring walking aids to use the services the rest of us take for granted.

"I am currently campaigning to see that these important improvements are made."

Colum Cavanagh, director of route asset management at Network Rail, said: “The new track at Fareham will last for decades, and the upgrades to the station itself will make it a more inviting place to be.

“I’d like to thank passengers for their patience while we carry out these upgrades.”