Media centre

Tuesday 7 Feb 2017

Network Rail continues programme of improvements to Midland Main Line

Region & Route:

| Eastern

Network Rail will reach a major milestone in its project to upgrade the Midland Main Line, as it carries out track improvements in Kettering, as part of the Railway Upgrade Plan.

The upgrade will see the renewal of switches and crossings, more commonly known as ‘points’ - the equipment which allows trains to move from one piece of track to another. The work will begin late evening on Friday, 24 February with train services returning to normal for the start of service on Monday, 27 February. During the upgrade, there will be no direct trains to and from London St Pancras International and the north.

Passengers are being advised to check eastmidlandstrains.co.uk before they travel and to allow extra time for their journeys.

This work is the seventh and final piece of work to renew switches and crossings on the line between Kettering and Corby. Work to improve the track is now 90% complete, with Network Rail moving onto the next phase of the work, which will be to upgrade signals on the route.

Gary Walsh, area director for Network Rail in the East Midlands, said: “The work we are doing in Kettering is a vital stage in our project to upgrade the Midland Main Line, as part of our Railway Upgrade Plan.

“When the Kettering to Corby upgrade is completed in 2018, trains will need to be able to move from the current track to the newly installed one. This work will allow them to do so, which will enable more trains to run and will benefit passengers.

“I’d like to remind passengers who plan on travelling to London from north of Kettering to check before they travel and apologise to them for any inconvenience caused.”

Jake Kelly, managing director for East Midlands Trains, said: “This is an essential piece of work that is needed to upgrade our rail network and we will continue to work with Network Rail to deliver these improvements. 

“During the work, we won’t be able to run any direct services between London and the north and customers will either need to use alternative train services or our replacement bus services. We’re strongly advising people to allow extra time for their journeys and check before travel by visiting our website, eastmidlandstrains.co.uk.”

The work is part of a wider programme of improvements to upgrade the Midland Main Line. Once completed, passengers will benefit from more seats and a smoother journey. The upgrade will also provide a cleaner and quieter railway for those living nearby.