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Monday 20 Oct 2014

Final section of work to start on GNGE line

Region & Route:

Rail passengers are reminded of just-under a fortnight of changes to train travel between Spalding and Peterborough as the next – and final - stage of investment to the Great Northern Great Eastern (GNGE) line starts this Wednesday (22 October).

Twelve modernised level crossings and new signalling between Spalding and Werrington Junction will be brought in to use as rail engineers carry out the next phase of investment to transform the GNGE line, which runs between Peterborough and Doncaster via Spalding. This work has also seen the level crossing at Fox Covert close, and the new footbridge open.

Justin Page, area director for Network Rail, explained: “The GNGE line is an important route for both freight and passenger trains. Demand for rail services continues to grow and the upgrade of this line is an important project to help meet that demand.

“In just twelve days our engineers will install modern signalling which will help to allow for future increases in services as well as improving reliability. At the same time, ten level crossings will be upgraded with the latest technology and the barrow crossing at Spalding station will be removed – further improving the safety of our network.

“This is an essential element of our continuing investment in Britain’s railway. We apologise in advance for any inconvenience to passengers and the public during this time, and thank the local community for their patience while we transform the GNGE line.”

No trains will run between Sleaford and Peterborough, in either direction, between 9pm on 22 October and 7am on Monday, 3 November to allow the improvements to be completed. Details of alternative travel arrangements are available on www.nationalrail.co.uk or by calling 08457 48 49 50.

The new signalling system will replace 1930s mechanical technology with modern electronic systems controlled from Network Rail’s Lincoln signalling control centre.

The level crossings being modernised are:

• Winsover Road, Spalding
• Hawthorn Bank, Spalding
• London Road, Spalding
• South Drove, South Drove Drain
• Luck's Road, Deeping St Nicholas
• Tinsley’s, Deeping St Nicholas
• Littleworth , Deeping St Nicholas
• Sly Brothers, Deeping St Nicholas
• Stow Gate, Deeping St James
• St James Deeping
• Welland Bank, Deeping St James
• Folly Bank, Peakirk

Network Rail held exhibitions in Spalding and Deeping St Nicholas during September to explain the impact of the work and road closures to residents and businesses.

Temporary closure details and diversionary routes will be signposted at each level crossing. Some preparatory works have already taken place at many of the crossings. Details of the level crossing work dates and road closures are available as a web-document at: http://www.networkrail.co.uk/improvements/Great-Northern-Great-Eastern/

On completion, the £280 million, government funded GNGE project will deliver an upgraded diversionary route for freight traffic between Doncaster and Peterborough, which in turn will allow greater use of the East Coast Mainline (ECML) for passenger train paths. Consisting of five phases in total, four of which are based on Siemens’ modular signalling solution, the works will improve safety, capacity, performance and reliability, reducing the need for heavy maintenance over a 15 year period.

Further information is available by calling Network Rail’s Community Relations team on 08457 11 41 41 or by emailing CRNE@networkrail.co.uk.