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Wednesday 9 Dec 2009

HALF A MILLION POUNDS SPEEDS UP ROBIN HOOD LINE

Region & Route:

Network Rail has improved the line-speed on the Robin Hood Line on time and within budget. This means passengers can enjoy improved train services on this route.

£500k of investment in track and bridges has increased the line speed at Mansfield Woodhouse and Sutton Forest from 20mph to 60mph. The Robin Hood Line which stretches from Nottingham to Worksop has also benefited from new level crossing telecoms and new signage and speed boards.

The work started at the beginning of November and was carried out on weekday nights and over weekends to minimise disruption. The project was completed on Sunday 29^th November.

Dyan Crowther, route director said:

“This is excellent news for passengers on the Robin Hood Line. Key work which could improve line-speed was identified quickly and the work was carried out with the minimum of disruption. Passengers can now enjoy more reliable trains and less disruption.”

The line-speed improvements were funded by Network rail in order to provide additional benefits to train passengers using the route.

Jim Bamford, Nottinghamshire County Council said:

“Nottingham County Council first proposed this in 2006, so it is a real cause for celebration that it has been completed. This says a lot about the effectiveness of the close co-operation between the council and Network Rail's enhancement team, which I believe has been of benefit to both bodies - and ultimately to Nottinghamshire's rail users. I am pleased to pay tribute to the way the scheme has been overseen by Network Rail, which has done an absolutely excellent job.”

David Horne from East Midlands Trains added:
“It’s great news that passengers travelling on this line will benefit from further improvements. The launch of East Midlands Trains new timetable in December 2008 brought Sunday services to the Robin Hood line for the first time since the 1960s, and on 13th December, we will be launching new services between Nottingham and Bulwell.

“These improvements made by Network Rail are already helping us to deliver more punctual train services, and with the new service set to launch on 13 December, passengers on the Robin Hood line will benefit from a significantly improved railway.”