Media centre

Thursday 1 Aug 2019

Network Rail announces timescales for Northamptonshire road bridge to be rebuilt

Region & Route:

Eastern

Network Rail has today (Thursday, 1 August) announced when work to rebuild Irthlingborough Road Bridge in Wellingborough will recommence, as well as timescales for its completion.

The bridge was demolished in late 2018 as part of the Midland Main Line Upgrade. The structure needed to be demolished to provide safe clearance for overhead line equipment being installed as the railway between Bedford to Kettering/Corby is electrified.

Following its demolition, Network Rail had planned to construct one new, improved bridge (Route 2) as part of the Stanton Cross development. However, following a review into the programme for Route 2, it became clear that this would cause a period of prolonged inconvenience for the community.

Therefore, following feedback from residents and discussions with Northamptonshire County Council and Wellingborough Borough Council, Network Rail confirmed its intention to rebuild a like for like structure at an increased height in April.

Since then, Network Rail has appointed a contractor to carry out the work and developed a construction programme. This means work can recommence on site in Autumn 2019 and the road will reopen by early Summer 2020.

Gavin Crook, Principal Programme Sponsor for Network Rail, said: “I am pleased to be able to announce that we now have a robust programme for the reconstruction of Irthlingborough Road Bridge and I would like to thank residents and business for their continued patience.

“The Midland Main Line Upgrade will improve journeys and support the growth of the region -connecting people to more job, education and leisure opportunities - but we do recognise the disruption that the closure of Irthlingborough Road has caused.

“Wellingborough is going through a period of transformation. In addition to the wider Stanton Cross development, we have begun a programme of significant improvements at Wellingborough Station and are well advanced with adding the additional line between Bedford and Kettering to increase capacity on the railway.”

Network Rail is holding a Midland Main Line information event between 16:00 and 19:00 on Friday, 9 August at Diana’s Gym, 109E Finedon Rd, Wellingborough NN8 4AL.

Residents and businesses can find out more about the Wellingborough Station work and there will be a presentation about Irthlingborough Road Bridge at 17:30-18:00. Network Rail workers will also be present to share information about wider upgrades taking place on the line.

For anyone unable to attend, the presentation will be available to download after the event from networkrail.co.uk. Alternatively, people can call the Network Rail National Helpline on 03457 11 41 41.

ENDS