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• Derby, Nottingham and Bedford stations are among those supporting Samaritans’ Small Talk Saves Lives campaign with events to empower passengers to start a conversation if they see someone who needs help
• Only around 45% of people in the East Midlands feel confident approaching someone they are concerned about in public
• New campaign film launches today to reassure the public that a little small talk like ‘where can I get a coffee?’ can set someone on a path to recovery

A brand-new footbridge is now helping to ease congestion at Thameslink’s busiest train station north of London, St Albans City.

Passengers are set to benefit from smoother, more reliable train journeys as Network Rail upgrade the tracks through Rolleston, Nottinghamshire this February.

Work has begun to improve Platform 1 at Derby station, benefitting passengers travelling between Penzance and Edinburgh this Spring. 

This weekend, engineers will have installed half of the foundations needed for an electrified railway between Kettering and Wigston as part of the Midland Main Line upgrade.

Network Rail is raising a bridge in Great Glen, Leicestershire, to clear the way for train-powering electric wires to be installed in the future.

Kettering station won The Greater Anglia Award for Best Overall Entry and Wellingborough station was highly commended in The London Underground Operational Enhancement Award category at the National Railway Heritage Awards 2022. 

• Rail passengers are being warned of severe disruption on 13, 14, 16, 17 and 24 December as unions stage strike action 
• A special, reduced timetable is planned to run across the East Midlands 
• Passengers should expect disruption, plan ahead and check their last train times