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Tuesday 30 Sep 2025

Buses replace trains during East Midlands bridge demolition work this weekend

Region & Route:

Eastern

| Eastern: East Midlands

Passengers travelling on EMR’s Intercity route this weekend (Saturday 4 October and Sunday 5 October) are advised to allow more time to travel. Rail replacement buses will run between East Midlands Parkway and Leicester due to infrastructure improvement works taking place.

Network Rail will be carrying out the demolition of Flying Arch bridge at Sutton Bonington, near Loughborough.

The bridge was due to be demolished to make way for overhead line equipment as part of Midland Main Line electrification. While this major programme has been paused, it has been agreed with the Department for Transport to proceed with the bridge demolition, which will mean the route is ready if electrification resumes in the future.

This work will also provide the necessary clearance for larger freight trains to run on this section of the line, helping to move more goods by rail instead of road – reducing congestion and cutting carbon emissions.

Amanda Mackie, Network Rail senior sponsor, said:

“This is a key step in our efforts to modernise the railway and support a greener, more efficient railway. We understand that work of this nature is disruptive, but by carrying out the demolition over a full weekend, with no trains running, disruption to rail services and the local community will be minimised

“We’re sorry for any inconvenience caused and thank passengers and residents for their patience and understanding.”

The work means East Midlands Railway will run a reduced Intercity service between Sheffield, Derby and East Midlands Parkway. Rail replacement buses will be in operation between Nottingham and East Midlands Parkway and Leicester, where passengers can continue their journey by train to London.

For those travelling from between Sheffield and East Midlands Parkway, passengers will need to connect onto a rail replacement bus at East Midlands Parkway. From there they will travel to Leicester where they will continue their journey onto a train. For those travelling between Nottingham and East Midlands Parkway, a rail replacement bus will be in operation to Leicester, where they can connect onto a train to London St Pancras.

Philippa Cresswell, customer experience director for EMR, said:

“We recommend customers planning to travel this weekend to check their journey in advance as your journey will take much longer than usual.

“Rail replacement buses will be in place between East Midlands Parkway and Leicester calling at all local stations along the route, with no direct journeys to London St Pancras from Sheffield or Nottingham.

“We would like to thank our customers for their patience whilst Network Rail carry out these infrastructure works.”

Check details of your journey before travelling with National Rail or East Midlands Railway.