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Wednesday 23 Jul 2014

Lincolnshire rail upgrade reaches Spalding

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Rail passengers are reminded of a fortnight of changes to train travel in the Sleaford and Spalding areas as the next stage of improvement work to the Great Northern Great Eastern (GNGE) line start this Friday (25 July).

Fifteen modernised level crossings and 15 miles of new signalling will be brought in to use during July and August as rail engineers carry out the next phase of investment to transform the GNGE line which runs between Peterborough and Doncaster via Spalding.

The number of level crossings being modernised in this phase of work is the most so far for the GNGE project.

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.

“During just sixteen 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, fifteen level crossings will be upgraded with the latest technology – the largest number so far delivered in a single phase of work.

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

No trains will run between Sleaford, Spalding and Peterborough in either direction between 8pm on Friday, 25 July and 8am on Monday, 11 August 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 work also means 12 mechanical signal boxes will no longer be used, and will be decommissioned as part of the project.

Network Rail held exhibitions in Gosberton on 28 June and Spalding on 1 July to explain the impact of the work to residents and businesses.

The level crossings being modernised are:

• Blotoft (Old Forty Foot Drain, Helpringham/Donington)
• Maltings Lane (Ing Drove, Donington)
• Golden High Hedges (Bull’s Bank/Cowdale Drove, Donington)
• Church Lane (Church End Drove, Quadring)
• Quadring (Town Drove, Quadring)
• Brewery Lane (North Gate, Gosberton)
• Gosberton (B1397 – Station Road, Gosberton)
• Cheal Road (Cheal Road, Gosberton Risegate)
• Water Drove (Gubbole’s Drove, Surfleet)
• Burtey Fen (Burtey Fen Lane, Pinchbeck)
• Flax Mill (Langhole Drove, Pinchbeck)
• Cherry Holt (Mill Green Road/Cherry Holt Lane, Pinchbeck)
• Blue Gowt (Blue Gowt Lane, Pinchbeck)
• Mill Green (Woolham Wygate, Spalding)
• Park Road (Park Road, Spalding)

Temporary closure details and diversionary routes will be signposted at each level crossing.

This work forms ‘phase 4’ of the GNGE project – a £280m Government-funded programme to transform the line into a modern railway. Phase 5 will take place in late October, and further exhibitions will be held in Spalding and other communities to the south of the town affected by the works.

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