Tuesday 11 Jun 2013
Network Rail bridge improvements move a step closer for Burton Latimer
Network Rail will shortly start rebuilding Finedon Station Road bridge as part of a £70m investment to speed up journey times on the Midland Main Line between London and Sheffield.
Once complete, the new bridge will provide the extra headroom needed for trains to travel at higher speed, as the forces involved mean trains tilt to one side as they pass through curved sections of track.
Finedon Station Road bridge will close temporarily to all road traffic from Monday 17 June to Monday 30 September 2013. Access from the east to the properties located on Finedon Station Road and Furnace Lane will be maintained throughout.
Diversion routes have been agreed with Northamptonshire County Council and signage will advise motorists to use the A5128 (Finedon Road) / A510 (Wellingborough Road) to cross the railway.
To help ease any traffic congestion whilst these improvements take place, the heavy goods vehicle (HGV) ban on part of Finedon Road, Finedon Station Road and Station Road will be lifted temporarily.
The northern approach to Burton Latimer via A14/A6 roundabout is unaffected.
Justin Page, Network Rail acting route managing director, said: “This work will deliver quicker journeys for the ever-growing number of passengers on the Midland Main Line, helping to bring the region’s biggest economies closer together. Our longer-term plans to upgrade and electrify the line will transform our diesel railway into one of the most modern in Europe providing more seats, even faster journeys, and cleaner and quieter trains.
“We thank people in advance for their patience and will continue to work closely with Northamptonshire County Council and Kettering Borough Council as we continue our plans to build a better railway for the East Midlands.”
Notes to editors
1. Network Rail is increasing the line speeds on the Midland Main Line as part of a commitment to speed up journeys and will cut up to 8 minutes between London and Sheffield. Line speed increases are being made between Leicester and Trent South Junction, on the line to Kettering, around the Toton area, and between Nottingham and Sheffield. Two bridges are also being rebuilt in the Leicestershire area.
3. Network Rail would normally provide the additional clearance by lowering the track level under the bridges. However, rebuilding the bridges will provide the space needed for trains to travel faster as well as room needed for future installation of overhead line equipment as part of the proposed electrification of the line between Bedford and Sheffield, providing better value for money and minimising disruption.
4. Network Rail plans to upgrade and electrify the Midland Main Line between Bedford and Sheffield, subject to approval from the Office of Rail Regulation in October 2013. This investment would see more seats, quicker journeys and cleaner and quieter trains. Current plans are to electrify to Corby by 2017, to Leicester, Derby and Nottingham in 2019 and to Sheffield in 2020.
2. Network Rail has notified local residents and businesses in advance and people are encouraged to contact Network Rail’s 24 hour helpline on 08457 11 41 41 if they have any questions or to tweet @NetworkRail.
Contact information
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