Work has begun on replacing four bridges in Slough and Hillingdon in preparation for the new electric Crossrail trains. Starting in 2018, Crossrail will provide a high-frequency rail service for passengers wanting to travel into central London, over to Maidenhead or through to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east.

Work has begun on replacing four bridges in Slough and Hillingdon in preparation for the new electric Crossrail trains.

Starting in 2018, Crossrail will provide a high-frequency rail service for passengers wanting to travel into central London, over to Maidenhead or through to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east.

The new electric trains will be quicker, cleaner, quieter, smoother and more reliable than the existing diesel suburban trains but all bridges on the route need to provide clearance for the over-head electric equipment. Middlegreen Road Bridge and Trenches Bridge in Slough and Old Stockley Road Bridge and Horton Bridge in Hillingdon will be replaced as part of this process.

Network Rail, on behalf of Crossrail, is carrying out the work which is due to be completed over Easter 2013. Worksites have been set up at each of the bridges with the major work of removing the old bridges and installing the new bridges taking place over Christmas 2012 and Easter 2013, when the railway is closed to trains for engineering work.

Earlier this month, Network Rail successfully installed the temporary footbridge next to Middlegreen Bridge, which will maintain pedestrian and cycle access over the railway while the current bridge is demolished and rebuilt.

Jorge Mendonça, Crossrail programme director, Network Rail, said: “Crossrail will transform the journeys of passengers who wish to travel into or across central London. The work we are undertaking on bridges across the western section of the route will not only enable new longer Crossrail trains to operate but is also an essential part of the programme to electrify the Great Western main line.

“During Christmas and Easter we will be removing the old bridges and installing new ones. We’ve spent months preparing for this to ensure we complete the work with the least possible impact on residents.”

As well as the bridge replacements, Network Rail is raising the parapets on a number of bridges along the Crossrail route.