Network Rail defend works on same days as Johnstone's Paint Trophy Final (From This is Hampshire)

Network Rail defend works on same days as Johnstone's Paint Trophy Final

2:55pm Friday 19th March 2010 in

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NETWORK Rail has defended its decision to go ahead with planned engineering works on the day Saints head to Wembley.

The works mean trains from Southampton to London Waterloo will take an extra half an hour and has meant South West Trains adding trains and extending carriages.

Fans have been asked to ensure they add extra time on to their journeys if they are travelling by train as a result of the works.

There will be two trains an hour running from Southampton with the additional service travelling up from Bournemouth at 08:25am. Following the game there will also be two trains an hour running from Waterloo to Southampton from 4pm until 7pm.

A Network Rail spokesperson said: “Our improvement works are planned 12 to 18 months in advance and prior to this fixture being set.

“As soon as we knew Saints would be playing at Wembley on Sunday 28 March we worked closely with South West Trains to see what could be done to help fans get to London and back as quickly and easily as possible.

“As a result, extra services have been scheduled and all trains will be formed of ten coaches, which is the maximum possible length. We hope Saints fans enjoy their day at Wembley and that their trip home is especially enjoyable.”

A spokesperson for South West Trains said the number of trains they were running was the maximum possible in light of the engineering works.

The spokesperson said: “Football fans travelling to the match are therefore advised to leave extra time for their journey and travel as early as possible.”