Media centre

Thursday 7 Apr 2005

CHORD ON TRACK TO IMPROVE EAST COAST RELIABILITY

Region & Route:

The new double line chord at Allington, near Grantham is on course following a hive of activity at the site both before and after the Easter weekend. Work began last April to construct the new double line section of railway which will improve reliability and performance on the East Coast Main Line and deliver greater route flexibility.  The chord will also offer improved connections for local services into Grantham and long distance services.  When combined with other improvements it will also increase capacity on the East Coast Main Line. Dyan Crowther, Route Director, Network Rail said: “Allington Chord is a prime example of Network Rail’s commitment to improving Britain’s railway.  The chord will ease a significant bottleneck, delivering benefits for both long distance and local services.” Following the construction of the embankment over 80km of signalling and telecommunications cables have been laid in new and refurbished troughing over 15 route km.  The new signal box has been constructed and signal bases and posts have been installed. Over the weekends before and after Easter two new junctions were laid at either end of the chord.  An 800 tonne crane was used to lift each of the thirteen panels in each layout.  With the chord due to be commissioned in October work continues apace: ·         the curved chord track panels will be installed from May ·         the signal box will be fitted out with the control panel and other equipment ·         the new upgraded level crossing will be installed ·         an existing rail over road bridge will be reconstructed