Media centre

Thursday 9 Apr 2020

Essential project to improve rail safety in Doncaster will take place over Easter weekend- those who have to travel for essential reasons urged to check before travelling

Region & Route:

Eastern

Over the Easter weekend, Network Rail will work to install a new underpass beneath the railway in Bessacarr in a £3.5million investment which will help to improve safety in the area.

On Saturday, 11, Sunday, 12 and Monday, 13 April, Network Rail engineers will install the underpass beneath the railway. The work will improve safety in the area by removing the need for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders to use level crossings in the area.

The work will mean some changes to services between Doncaster and Lincoln, so those making essential journeys should check before travelling via National Rail Enquiries or with East Midlands Railway.

This is a significant project and work has been taking place since November. To allow this key stage of the project to take place, there will be changes to services on the following dates:

• On Saturday, 11 April, no trains will be able to run between Doncaster and Gainsborough Lea Road after 16:40. Coach replacement services will be in place during this time.
• On Monday, 13 April, no trains will be able to run between Doncaster and Lincoln. Coach replacement services will be in place during this time.

In order to help reduce the spread of coronavirus, only those who need to make essential journeys, in line with government guidance, should be travelling. Those who need to travel are urged to allow additional time for their journey. As usual, East Midlands Railway will not run a service between Doncaster and Lincoln on Sunday. Social distancing measures will be in place on the coach replacement services.

The work taking place this weekend has been retimed and will now take place over a longer period. This is so that the work can be carried out in line with social distancing measures to help reduce the spread of Covid-19. Additional welfare units and washing stations will also be available.

Paul Rutter, Route Director for Network Rail’s East Coast Route, said: “This is an essential project, which is why we are continuing with it over the Easter weekend. The project will improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders in the area.

“The work will be carried out in line with Covid-19 guidance and we would urge all those making essential journeys between Doncaster and Lincoln over the bank holiday to check their journey ahead of time via National Rail Enquiries or with East Midlands Railway.

“We would like to reassure those who cannot work from home that the coach replacement services which are in place will keep them moving and we thank all those impacted for their patience.”

Lisa Angus, Transaction and Projects Director for East Midlands Railway, said “We are advising passengers to check our website before they travel over the Easter weekend as a coach replacement service is in place between Doncaster and Gainsborough Lea Road / Lincoln on Saturday, 11 April from 16:40 and all day on Monday, 13 April.

“We would like to thank our passengers for their patience whilst Network Rail install the underpass, which will remove the need to use level crossings in the area.”

After the installation over the Easter weekend, further work will be required with the underpass set to open for use in July this year.

ENDS