Wednesday 21 Jan 2026
Level crossing improvement work brings changes to passenger services this weekend
- Region & Route:
- Eastern
- | Eastern: East Midlands
A level crossing upgrade will mean changes to passenger services between Derby and Crewe this weekend (24-25 January).
Network Rail will be working to renew 80 metres of track, 120 metres of drainage and all new crossing components at Sudbury level crossing, Derbyshire. This will provide passengers with more reliable journeys as well as giving road users of the A515 a smoother ride over the crossing surface.
The work means the crossing will be closed on 24 and 25 January, with a signed diversion in place for motorists. It also means buses will replace trains:
- between Derby and Crewe on Saturday 24 January
- between Derby and Uttoxeter on Sunday 25 January
The project will involve two engineering trains and a tamping vehicle, which keeps the ballast in place beneath the rail to maintain the alignment and level of the track. The teams will be installing synthetic sleepers – a sustainable alternative to the standard concrete or hardwood traditionally used at these locations.
Dan Matthews, Network Rail operations director, said:
“We’d like to thank passengers, motorists and residents for their patience while we complete this upgrade at Sudbury level crossing. Renewing this section of track will help improve the reliability of trains and reduce maintenance costs, and carrying out the work over a single weekend means we can keep disruption to a minimum.”
Philippa Cresswell, customer experience director for East Midlands Railway, said:
“We’re encouraging customers planning to travel between Derby and Crewe on Saturday 24 January or between Derby and Uttoxeter on Sunday 25 January to check their journey in advance and allow extra time, as rail replacement buses will be in operation.
“We’d like to thank our customers for their patience and understanding while this important work takes place to help deliver more reliable journeys in the future.”
Check all parts of your journey with National Rail or your train operator before travelling.
Contact information
Passengers / community members
Network Rail national helpline
03457 11 41 41
Latest travel advice
Please visit National Rail Enquiries
Journalists
Gareth Dennison
Media relations manager, Eastern region
Network Rail
07561 874858
gareth.dennison@networkrail.co.uk
About Network Rail
We own, operate and develop Britain's railway infrastructure; that's 20,000 miles of track, 30,000 bridges, tunnels and viaducts and the thousands of signals, level crossings and stations. We run 20 of the UK's largest stations while all the others, over 2,500, are run by the country's train operating companies.
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