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Tuesday 1 Nov 2022

Burton’s ‘diamond’ crossing renewed to bring more reliable train journeys

Region & Route:

Eastern

| Eastern: East Midlands

Over the weekend (29-31 October), Network Rail updated an important railway junction in East Staffordshire to bring more reliable train journeys for passengers and freight services.

Engineers have renewed a key section of track in Burton, which separates passenger trains travelling along the line between Derby and Birmingham from freight services travelling to or from Leicester.

The improvement is set to boost performance and deliver a better experience for passengers with smoother, more reliable journeys, and help freight goods reach their destination on time. The intricate project will also make it easier for Network Rail teams to maintain the unique railway in this section for years to come.

The junction – which hasn’t benefitted from major work since 2013 – forms a diamond where the two railway lines cross over each other.

Newly released photos show railway workers delivering the £120,000 transformation.

Specialist teams worked throughout the weekend, from Saturday 29 until Monday 31 October, to complete the work and successfully reopen the railway for commuters and leisure travellers.

Gary Walsh, East Midlands Route Director for Network Rail said: “I’d like to thank passengers for bearing with us as we delivered this important upgrade over the weekend. We’ve updated a crucial junction, which serves to seamlessly separate trains travelling between Derby and Birmingham with those headed for Leicester to join the Midland Main Line.

“Improving this vital kit will bring smoother, more reliable journeys to help passengers and freight get to where they need to be on time, as well as making it easier for our teams to maintain this section of track in the future.”

ENDS