An investment of £3 million to renew more than 3.6km of track in Lincolnshire will bring improved, more reliable journeys for passengers.
The improvement work will mean rail replacement buses running between Grantham and Sleaford over two weekends – 7-8 and 14-15 November.
The engineering project near Ancaster will include the installation of more than 5,600 new sleepers and 5,636 tonnes of new ballast to improve the reliability and resilience of the railway. Network Rail teams will use specialist engineering trains and road-rail vehicles to complete the renewal.
The work follows investments of £1.5 million near Snelland and £1.4 million between Sleaford and Boston in October.
Eric Larocque, Network Rail’s East Midlands operations director, said:
“This investment will help provide a safer and more reliable railway for passengers and freight services. By renewing track, sleepers and ballast, we’re ensuring this section of railway remains strong for years to come – reducing the need for unplanned maintenance and helping to deliver more reliable journeys.
“We’re grateful to passengers and residents for their patience while this essential work is carried out.”
Philippa Cresswell, customer experience director for East Midlands Railway, said:
“We’re asking customers travelling between Nottingham and Skegness over the two weekends in November to plan ahead and allow extra time for their journeys, as rail replacement buses will operate between Grantham and Sleaford.
“We understand that changes to your journey can be inconvenient, and we’d like to thank customers for their patience while Network Rail carries out this essential work to help improve the reliability of the railway for the future.”
Over both weekends, trains between Nottingham and Skegness will run to an amended timetable between Nottingham and Grantham, and between Sleaford and Skegness. Rail replacement buses will run between Grantham and Sleaford, calling at all stations.
Passengers using rail replacement bus services are reminded to only bring luggage they can carry comfortably, which doesn’t exceed the limits of the operator they are travelling with, and be mindful of transfer times between train and bus/coach.
Check details of all parts of your journey with your train operator or National Rail before travelling.
Image credit: Network Rail
