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Tuesday 22 Aug 2023

Network Rail to begin major upgrade to railway viaduct in Newark

Region & Route:

Eastern

| Eastern: East Coast

Network Rail teams will begin major work to the River Devon Viaduct in Newark next month in order to keep trains running reliably and safely for years to come.

Between Saturday, 2 September and Monday, 11 September, teams will be working to completely renew the River Devon Viaduct, which carries the railway over the River Trent.

The £2million investment will see a full renewal of the bridge, including replacing all 44 beams, with new, fibre-reinforced foamed urethane beams, which are more environmentally friendly than traditional hardwood sleepers, and are 100% recyclable. 

Work will also take place to install new rails and sleepers, as well as structural improvements to the viaduct itself.  Once complete, passengers will benefit from smoother and more reliable journeys.

To allow the work to take place safely, there will be major changes to services throughout the ten days, with East Midlands Railway running a reduced timetable to and from Newark Castle, and bus replacement services will be in operation.

Passengers planning on using routes to, from and through Newark Castle are advised to plan ahead and check before travelling via National Rail Enquiries or the East Midlands Railway website.  Planned strike action on Saturday, 2 September will mean no services, including bus replacement services, on this date.

Rachel Braid, Project Manager for Network Rail, said: “The work we’re doing to the River Devon Viaduct will not only boost reliability for passengers, but it will also future-proof the railway and enable trains to continue to run over the viaduct for years to come.

“We have planned this work carefully to keep disruption for passengers to a minimum, but there are some changes to services for East Midlands Railway customers. We’d like to urge all passengers planning on travelling to, from or through Newark Castle during this time to check their journey via National Rail Enquiries.

“We’d like to thank all those impacted for their patience during this time.”

Dave Meredith, Customer Services Director for East Midlands Railway said: “We are asking any customers planning to travel along the Nottingham, Newark, Lincoln and Grimsby corridor, between Saturday, 2 September and Monday, 11 September, to plan ahead and allow plenty of time to complete their journeys.

“A reduced service will be in operation, with some services being replaced by bus. With the exception of Saturday, 2 September where there will be no services due to strike action by RMT and ASLEF unions.

“We would like to thank our customers for their patience whilst Network Rail carries out this essential upgrade of the viaduct.”

ENDS