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Monday 9 Jan 2023

Leicestershire bridge to be upgraded, ready for an electric railway

Region & Route:

Eastern

| Eastern: East Midlands

Network Rail is raising a bridge in Great Glen, Leicestershire, to clear the way for train-powering electric wires to be installed in the future.

Work will begin on Friday 13 January and will finish in summer 2023. It’s part of the multi-million-pound Midland Main Line electrification programme, which is currently working to electrify the railway between Kettering and Wigston.

Reconstructing the bridge – which allows cars to travel over the railway via Station Road – and raising it by just over half a metre will provide enough room for the overhead line equipment needed to power electric and hybrid trains to eventually pass underneath the bridge.

The programme supports the Government’s ambitions for decarbonisation, while ultimately offering passengers a greener way to travel and delivering a quieter, cleaner railway for those living alongside it.

To allow this work to take place safely, Station Road will be closed between the junction with Newton Lane and the junction with Kibworth Road from Friday 13 January until late July. As part of the project, the road will also need to be reconstructed approximately 50 metres either side of the bridge.

Network Rail has worked closely with Leicestershire County Council to keep disruption to a minimum and put a signposted diversion in place.

Gary Walsh, East Midlands Route Director for Network Rail said: “This important piece of work will help us to eventually electrify the route between Kettering and Wigston to deliver a cleaner, greener railway that’s fit for the future.

“I’d like to thank the community for their patience over the coming months and we’ll continue to work with Leicestershire County Council to reduce the impact of our work.”

ENDS