Project Profile: Feltham and Wokingham Re-signalling (FWRP)

The Feltham and Wokingham Re-signalling Project (FWRP) represents a critical infrastructure modernization across 80 miles of the UK’s Wessex route, replacing life-expired analogue signalling with a state-of-the-art digital system controlled from the Basingstoke Rail Operating Centre (ROC). This multi-phase upgrade significantly enhances operational safety, network reliability, and capacity for both passenger and freight services in southwest London and Berkshire.

Technical Specifications

The FWRP was executed across five distinct phases between 2019 and 2024, covering a complex network area that includes Feltham, Hounslow, Shepperton, Twickenham, Windsor & Eton Riverside, and Wokingham. The project’s primary technical objective was the decommissioning of legacy signalling systems and their replacement with modern, resilient digital technology. This involved the installation of approximately 207 new digital signals and 234 axle counters, which provide more accurate and reliable train detection compared to traditional track circuits.

A core component of the upgrade was the centralization of signalling control to the Basingstoke Rail Operating Centre (ROC). This migration enhances network management by co-locating signallers and providing a unified, real-time view of the route. To support the new system, over 260 miles of new power and data cabling were installed. The project also included critical safety enhancements, such as the comprehensive upgrade of 16 level crossings with modern barrier and detection technology, and the renewal of key assets like the double railway junction at Wokingham.

Key Takeaways

• Enhanced Reliability and Reduced Maintenance: By replacing aging, failure-prone analogue equipment with a modern digital system, the FWRP has significantly reduced signal-related delays and lowered long-term maintenance costs for a vital section of the UK rail network.
• Improved Safety and Operational Efficiency: The centralization of control at the Basingstoke ROC, combined with upgraded level crossings and precise train detection via axle counters, creates a safer and more efficiently managed railway environment, enabling faster incident response.
• Increased Network Capacity and Future-Proofing: The modernized infrastructure increases the resilience and capacity of the Wessex route, accommodating future growth in passenger and freight traffic and establishing a digital foundation for potential future technologies like ETCS.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When did the Feltham and Wokingham re-signalling become fully operational?

The Feltham and Wokingham Re-signalling Project became fully operational in February 2024, following the successful completion and commissioning of its fifth and final phase in the Wokingham area.

Who built the new signalling system for the Feltham and Wokingham project?

The project was a collaborative effort managed by Network Rail. A number of key contractors delivered the works, including Atkins for the final phase design and management, Global Rail Construction and Enable Infrastructure for civil engineering works, Hitachi for software solutions, and RT-IS for control centre installations.