Monday 5 Aug 2013
Public event gives details road diversions for Leicestershire bridge improvements
- Region & Route:
Members of the public are invited to attend an information event about road diversions required to rebuild two rail bridges in order to increase journey times between London and Sheffield.
Network Rail is rebuilding Station Street bridge, Kibworth and The Square bridge, Newton Harcourt as part of a £70m investment to speed up journey times on the Midland Main Line.
Once complete, the new bridges will provide the extra headroom needed for trains to travel at higher speed, as the forces involved mean trains tilt to one side as they pass through curved sections of track and help to accommodate future installation of overhead line equipment as part of the proposed electrification of the line between Bedford and Sheffield, providing better value for money and minimising disruption.
An information event for the affected villages will be held at Kibworth Village Hall, Station Street, Kibworth, LE8 0LN on Tuesday 13 August 2013, between 4pm and 8pm. Members of the team from Network Rail and Harborough Council will be on hand to answer questions.
Justin Page, Network Rail acting route managing director, said: “This work will deliver quicker journeys for the ever-growing number of passengers on the Midland Main Line, helping to bring the region’s biggest economies closer together. Our longer-term plans to upgrade and electrify the line will transform our diesel railway into one of the most modern in Europe providing more seats, even faster journeys, and cleaner and quieter trains.
“We thank people in advance for their patience and will continue to work closely with Leicestershire County Council, Harborough District Council and local parish councils as we continue our plans to build a better railway for the East Midlands.”
Station Street / Church Road bridge in Kibworth will close temporarily to all road traffic from Monday 9 September to Sunday 22 December 2013. A temporary footbridge will be provided to maintain access the majority of the time for pedestrians and cyclists.
Access from the north and south to the properties located on Church Road and Station Street will be maintained throughout.
A diversion route has been agreed with Leicestershire County Council and signage will advise motorists to use Fleckney Road and Warwick Road to cross the railway.
The Square bridge in Newton Harcourt will close temporarily from Monday 9 September to Friday 13 December 2013.
Notes to editors
1. Network Rail has notified residents and is continuing to work with local authorities to raise awareness of the bridge closure.
2. The information event takes place on Tuesday 13 August 2013, from 4pm to 8pm in Kibworth Village Hall, Station Street, Kibworth LE8 0LN. It will be staffed by Network Rail and local authority staff to help answer questions or queries.
3. During the closure, the alternative route for vehicular traffic will be:- High Street, Fleckney Road, Warwick Road, Wistow Road, Leicester Road, Church Road and vice versa.
4. Residents and businesses are encouraged to contact Network Rail’s 24 hour helpline on 08457 11 41 41 if they have any questions or tweet @NetworkRail
5. Network Rail is increasing the line speeds on the Midland Main Line as part of a commitment to speed up journeys and will cut up to 8 minutes between London and Sheffield. Line speed increases are being made between Leicester and Trent South Junction, on the line to Kettering, around the Toton area, and between Nottingham and Sheffield. Two bridges are also being rebuilt in the Northamptonshire area.
6. Network Rail would normally provide the additional clearance by lowering the track level under the bridges. However, rebuilding the bridges will provide the space needed for trains to travel faster as well as room needed for future installation of overhead line equipment as part of the proposed electrification of the line between Bedford and Sheffield, providing better value for money and minimising disruption.
7. Network Rail plans to upgrade and electrify the Midland Main Line between Bedford and Sheffield, subject to approval from the Office of Rail Regulation in October 2013. This investment would see more seats, quicker journeys and cleaner and quieter trains. Current plans are to electrify to Corby by 2017, to Leicester, Derby and Nottingham in 2019 and to Sheffield in 2020.
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