Media centre

Wednesday 8 Aug 2007

PASSENGER REMINDER - LINCOLN CLOSURE (11 AUGUST - 2 SEPTEMBER)

Region & Route:

Passengers are reminded that Network Rail will start the first phase of a £55m project to renew the signalling and track through the centre of Lincoln this weekend. As part of the project, a new state-of-the-art signalling control centre will be built at West Holmes. For three weeks in August, the railway through Lincoln will be closed as Network Rail engineers install new track and signalling along the railway running through the city centre. Several level crossings in Lincoln city will also be closed to motorists and pedestrians at certain times. Network Rail has been working closely with Central Trains and Lincolnshire County Council to ensure any disruption to passengers, motorists and pedestrians is kept to an absolute minimum. From Saturday 11 August to Sunday 2 September, Central Trains will replace trains running between Lincoln and Newark, Gainsborough, Cleethorpes and Spalding with buses which will call at local stations in between. In addition at peak times, faster, direct commuter buses will run between Sleaford and Lincoln. The replacement buses will run about as frequently as existing train services, but exact times may vary, and passengers are advised to check journey times in advance. More details will be available from Central Trains website (www.centraltrains.co.uk) or by calling Network Rail Enquiries on 08457 484950. Network Rail Route Director Dyan Crowther said: "This project is the first major investment in Lincoln's railway for many years and will deliver a brand new railway fit for the 21st century. We've listened carefully to people in Lincoln to ensure we are able to carry out this important work with the minimum disruption. In the long term Network Rail's investment in new technology and track will benefit passengers by allowing for a better rail service." Central Trains Managing Director Steve Banaghan said: "As the principal train operator in Lincoln, we're working closely with Network Rail to keep the disruption to passengers to a minimum. This is a huge investment that will provide significant benefits for passengers in Lincolnshire." During the three-week closure, Brayford level crossing will be closed to pedestrians and motorists between 15 and 21 August as engineers install new track. Lincolnshire County Council highways officer Dave Underwood added: "Lincolnshire County Council has worked closely with Network Rail with a view to minimising the effect of these works on the travelling public in the City. The works have been planned during the summer school holidays when traffic levels across the city are at their lowest." Following the second phase of the project in Summer 2008, the new track and signalling will be operational by September 2008, and the project will be completed in early 2009. Notes to Editors:
Project Timescales; To minimise disruption, the project will take place in two phases: Phase 1: August 2007 will see a 3 week closure of the railway through Lincoln while new track and signalling is installed. The work will require some closures of Sincil Bank and Brayford level crossings: Sincil Bank (Great Northern Terrace)level crossing will be closed from 9.30pm on Saturday night through to 9.30am on Sunday mornings over the following weekends as new track is installed: 25-26 August
1-2, 22-23 September
13-14 October Brayford Level Crossing will be closed from 11pm on 15 August through to 3pm on 21 August. In addition it will be closed from 11pm on Saturday night through to 11am Sunday mornings on the following weekends: 15-16, 22-23 September 13-14, 20-21 October 10-11, 17-18 November 23-24 February 2008 1-2 March 2008 Phase 2: In summer 2008 the railway through Lincoln will be closed for 6 weeks between July and September, subject to agreement with the Train Operating Companies. New signalling and track will be installed and fully tested before the line reopens. The work will also necessitate the closure of High Street Level Crossing and other level crossings during some of this period Network Rail will work closely with Central Trains and Northern Rail to ensure passengers are informed of any timetable alterations. Network Rail will also work closely with Lincolnshire County Council to ensure any temporary diversionary routes for motorists and pedestrians are well publicised and signposted in advance The project will renew signalling equipment, track and telecoms infrastructure on the railway in the heart of Lincoln
High Street Level Crossing will be fitted with CCTV control and this together with the other existing CCTV level crossings will be re-controlled from the new Signalling Control Centre at West Holmes. The 4 signal boxes at Pelham Street, High Street, East Holmes and West Holmes will close as signalling in the city will be controlled from the new Signal Control Centre The new track will allow several speed restrictions to be removed (specifically one at Pelham Street Junction which currently limits trains to 10mph) enabling trains to move through Lincoln quicker. Remodelled track and bi-directional signalling will reduce the amount of shunting needed on the line. This will reduce the time needed for trains to turn around – increasing operational flexibility for train operators and improving performance for passengers.