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Tuesday 23 Jul 2024

Safety warning ahead of new Midland Main Line power lines going live

Region & Route:

Eastern

| Eastern: East Midlands

People living near the railway in Northamptonshire and Leicestershire are being reminded of the potential risks of overhead power lines as the latest section of the Midland Main Line prepares to go live.

On Sunday 28 July, 25,000 volts will be switched on between Kettering and Wigston as work continues to provide passengers with better, more reliable and greener train journeys.

The introduction of new bi-mode (diesel and electric) trains in the future will also mean quieter journeys for passengers and benefit those living near the line when running on electricity.

Network Rail is electrifying the railway as part of the multi-million-pound Midland Main Line upgrade.

This involves installing a complex web of overhead cables which will allow the new electric trains to run in the East Midlands in future.

With the cables preparing to go live, residents in the area are being reminded to never trespass on the tracks as the overhead power lines - which carry 25,000v of electricity - pose an even greater risk to life and limb.

Throughout the weekend, *there will be some changes to train services. As well as powering up the overhead lines, engineers will also be replacing some switches and crossings, the specialist equipment used by trains to change from one track to another, south of Leicester.

The Midland Main Line (MML) runs from London St Pancras to Sheffield and engineers electrified the first section of the route between London and Corby in 2021.

To prepare for the electrification, 36km of new overhead cables were installed by SPL Powerlines. Specialist teams have also installed three new substations which will provide power to new electric trains, altered 18 bridges to make room for the overhead lines and installed more than 1,100 steel and concrete piles.

Network Rail has been raising awareness that overhead wires will be ‘Always On!’ by visiting schools in the area as part of the upgrade and electrification of the railway.

During the visits, primary and secondary school age children have learned about the dangers of trespassing on the railway and the new threat of the overhead line equipment and the devastating consequences of getting too close or coming into contact with them.

Hayley Manners, community safety manager for Network Rail’s East Midlands route, said: “Safety is our top priority and we’ve already delivered our presentation to hundreds of young people in schools and at community events. The sessions are doing a fantastic job at highlighting the very real dangers of playing and trespassing on the railway.

“The sessions focus on safety and young people learn more about the overhead line equipment which is used to power trains. Once installed, electrified wires are always switched on - even when there are no trains passing. They carry 25,000 volts of electricity, which can be fatal. Our message is simple – never trespass on the railway for any reason.”

Gavin Crook, principal programme sponsor for Network Rail’s East Midlands route said: “The electrification of the stretch of line between Kettering to Wigston is a major milestone for the wider Midland Main Line upgrade which will see greener, faster, and quieter journeys for customers travelling between the East Midlands and London.

“Engineers have worked incredibly hard on this part of the project, with 36km of overhead cables and 1,100 stanchions to hold them in place installed.

“Delivering this project has not been without some changes to train services and overnight work and I would like to thank passengers and lineside neighbours for their patience and understanding while we have been preparing the route for electrification.”

To find out more about how the Midland Main Line will be ‘Always On!’, visit: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/communities/safety-in-the-community/railway-safety-campaigns/always-on/