Network Rail teams will be carrying out essential track-lowering work near Loughborough this weekend as part of wider multi-million-pound Midland Main Line improvements.
Passengers are being urged to check before they travel while teams work on Saturday, 22 March, and Sunday, 23 March, to lower the track at a railway bridge in Barrow upon Soar. This will enable the future installation of overhead line equipment, which powers trains.
Track-lowering involves reducing the level of the railway track under bridges, creating the necessary clearance and allowing enabling work to begin for the future installation of overhead wires.
This method is significantly less disruptive than the alternative of rebuilding bridges, which would require long road closures and create more noise and disruption for local communities.
This work is part of a programme of improvements to the Midland Main Line, which will allow for the installation of overhead line equipment in the future, leading to more reliable journeys.
To make the most of the railway closure, teams will also be carrying out drainage work in Draycott. They will also renew the switches and crossings near Long Eaton – the specialist equipment used by trains to change from one track to another – meaning smoother journeys for passengers.
While this work takes place, East Midlands Railway services will run to an amended timetable, with rail replacement buses in operation on some routes.
Amanda Mackie, Senior Sponsor for Network Rail, said:
“This essential work at Barrow upon Soar is an important milestone in our programme to modernise the Midland Main Line. By lowering the track rather than raising the bridge, we’re able to minimise disruption to the local community while still delivering these crucial improvements.
“Track-lowering is a less intrusive and more cost-effective solution that will allow us to install the overhead line equipment needed for electric trains in the future, which will provide passengers with greener, more reliable journeys.
“We would like to thank passengers for their patience and understanding while this work takes place.”
Philippa Cresswell, Customer Experience Director for East Midlands Railway, said:
“This weekend, we are running an amended train service between Sheffield, Derby, Nottingham, and London St Pancras.
“We recommend customers planning to travel from 6pm on Saturday, 22 March, or at any time on Sunday, 23 March, to check their journey in advance before travelling, as their journey may involve a rail replacement bus. Buses will run between Nottingham and Leicester and between Derby and Leicester on Sunday, 23 March. Full details about the changes can be found on the EMR website.
“We would like to thank our customers for their patience while Network Rail carries out the engineering work on the overhead line equipment. This work will greatly benefit our customers in the future with more reliable journeys to and from London.”
