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Tuesday 25 Oct 2016

Train services return to normal between Kettering and Corby as major phase of Railway Upgrade Plan is completed

Region & Route:

| Eastern

Network Rail and East Midlands Trains have thanked customers in Corby and Kettering for their patience as a major phase of the rail upgrade plan is completed.

Train services have returned to normal today (Tuesday 25 October) and a full train timetable is now in operation between Kettering and Corby.

Network Rail has been carrying out work for the past six weeks as part of its Railway Upgrade Plan to deliver a bigger, better railway for passengers. There have been significant upgrades to the line, most notably to allow major strengthening work to take place on bridges and viaducts needed to support the extra trains that will in the future run on the second track, which Network Rail engineers have been installing for the past 12 months.

Rob McIntosh, route managing director for Network Rail, said: “We are committed to improving services for rail users as part of our Railway Upgrade Plan. The upgrades which have taken place between Kettering and Corby will allow us to provide a bigger and better railway for passengers in the future.

“We’d like to thank local residents for their patience and understanding whilst these improvements were carried out.”

Jake Kelly, managing director for East Midlands Trains, said: “We would like to thank our customers for their patience whilst this important improvement work has been taking place over the past six weeks.

“This is a key stage in the Midland Main Line improvement programme that will help to unlock the potential for future journey time improvements and capacity enhancements, and whilst customers will not be able to see any immediate improvements, this important work allows us to prepare for the future.

“We’ve had some really positive feedback from customers on how well the alternative transport arrangements have worked, and the fact that we’ve had extra staff on hand throughout to help customers. We’re pleased to be re-opening the line and to be starting to run our normal train service again today.”