Wednesday 14 Nov 2012
Work begins on Sleaford rail line
- Region & Route:
The Sleaford avoiding rail line is being renewed by Network Rail to help meet increasing demand for rail travel and freight capacity.
Preparatory vegetation works on the line on the east side of Sleaford, will take place in the coming weeks. It is part of a £280m programme of essential renewals on the Great Northern Great Eastern (GNGE) line which runs from Peterborough to Doncaster via Spalding, Lincoln and Gainsborough.
Scheduled for completion in Spring 2014, work includes the replacement of a number of level crossings, renewal of the existing signalling system, bridgeworks and extensive track renewals, replacing older track with a modern equivalent helping reduce the environmental impact from passing rail traffic.
Work on the line at Sleaford will include vegetation clearance works and the removal of some sections of the older track during normal working hours, Monday to Friday over the next four to five weeks. New track bed and rails will then be installed later next year.
Network Rail Route Managing Director Phil Verster said: “Once it is renewed this line will allow us to divert rail freight traffic around Sleaford Town Centre. It will also provide far greater operational flexibility than is currently available, helping us to improve train performance and reliability.”
Notes to editors
On completion, the GNGE project will deliver enhanced safety, improved performance and reliability, a reduced need for heavy maintenance and will provide additional capacity for freight and passenger traffic when required, with each freight train taking approximately 60 lorry journeys off the roads.
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