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Tuesday 26 Mar 2024

Level crossing upgrades on Newcastle to Carlisle rail route means changes to train services and diversions for motorists

Region & Route:

Eastern

| Eastern: North & East

Upgrade work to two level crossings in Warden and Upper Denton on the Newcastle to Carlisle rail route will mean temporary closures of the crossings with diversions in place for road users and changes to train services between 21 April and 27 April.

Network Rail engineers will be carrying out vital upgrade work to two level crossings in Warden and Upper Denton to improve reliability on the rail network and to enhance safety for cyclists, pedestrians, motorists, and passengers.

From 21.00 on Sunday 21 April to 06.30 on Saturday 27 April, the road over Warden level crossing will be closed with diversion routes in place to allow for essential improvements to the surface of the level crossing.

This will include removing and replacing the current level crossing deck, installing a new track drainage system, renewing the level crossing sleepers and tarmacking and repainting road markings.

Further along the rail network, the road over Denton School level crossing will be closed from 20.00 on Monday 22 April to 20.00 on Thursday 25 April to enhance the surface of the level crossing and to replace decades-old equipment, with diversions in place for road users.

While the level crossing work is ongoing, buses are replacing trains between Hexham and Carlisle in both directions from Monday 22 April until end of service on Friday 26 April. Trains will then operate again on Saturday 27 April.

Richard Cunningham, Senior Asset Engineer for Network Rail, said: “These upgrades are significant in providing safer level crossings for all users and improving the reliability of the railway on this important cross-country route.

“We want to encourage passengers to check before they travel and to plan ahead with their journeys via National Rail Enquires or their train operator while these vital improvements are underway.

“We would also like to thank the public for their patience and understanding while this vital work is taking place.”