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Monday 30 Mar 2026

New road bringing safer travel and faster trains a step nearer

Region & Route:

Eastern

| Eastern: East Midlands

Construction work is progressing well on a road in Collingham which is part of a multi-million-pound project delivering improved rail safety benefits and faster train services.

The new link road is being built from just south of Cross Lane level crossing to east of Swinderby Road level crossing, running alongside the railway line. The Cross Lane road is also being upgraded between the crossing and Potter Hill Road.

Once the work is completed, trains running between Newark and Lincoln will be able to travel at higher speeds. Currently, the line speed ranges between 50mph and 70mph on this section of the route. Following the work, it will be raised to 75mph, which will help to speed up journeys for passengers.

The new section of road will have a 30mph speed limit, reduced from the national speed limit on the old road, meaning there are safety benefits for motorists and pedestrians too.

The work represents an investment of £4.7 million into the community to build the highway and close Cross Lane level crossing – a long-identified safety risk. It’s part of a wider programme to improve safety, upgrade signalling and modernise rail infrastructure between Newark and Lincoln.

A road closure is in place on Swinderby Road until 30 March to allow construction to take place. Another road closure will follow on Cross Lane from 30 March to 13 May, with the new road planned to be opened to vehicles from 29 May.

The wider scheme will involve modernising the route by closing Swinderby’s mechanical signal box and controlling signalling from Lincoln, building on the more frequent passenger services between Nottingham and Lincoln introduced in the December 2025 timetable change.

Nick Wilton, Network Rail senior sponsor, said:

“We’re very pleased to be making progress on this important project, which will remove a long‑standing level‑crossing safety risk and help unlock the wider benefits of the Swinderby resignalling programme.

“The new road will be a significant boost for the rail line, improving journey times between Newark and Lincoln, while also improving the experience for motorists in the area.

“We’d like to thank residents for their patience while we complete the road construction and associated work.”

Once the new road is open, the old highway connecting Cross Lane with Swinderby Road through Cross Lane level crossing will be closed under a stopping up order.