East station re-opens after platform extension

Herford East station has re-opened after a 17-day closure to extend the platforms to accomodate new 10-car trains.

Contractors worked around the clock from Saturday 13th to Monday 29th August, extending the platforms by around 80m (260ft), relaying track, installing new gantries, overhead cabling, lighting and fencing ready for the longer trains.

Extending the platforms also meant that points and associated cabling had to be relocated further east.

There will be a further closures this coming weekend Saturday 3rd/Sunday 4th September as work continues to complete upgrades on the branch line.

Contractors have also been busy at Ware, undertaking similar work to accomodate the new Class 720 trains.

Greater Anglia originally ordered a number of 10-car trainsets, but this was later changed to an all 5-car fleet for flexibility, allowing two 5-car trains to be coupled together.

Updated 2/9/22 to remove incorrect information about work at St.Maragets and Rye House