Network Rail will spend £22 million on improving drainage on its East Coast route to help prevent major disruption to passenger services and to increase safety.
There have been multiple cases of landslips and flooding on the East Coast route in recent months, with incidents at Aycliffe, near Darlington, as well as between Newark and Grantham, which have caused major disruption to passengers and communities.
The funding will allow renewal and refurbishment projects to be carried out along the route, including the implementation of an enhanced monitoring and maintenance programme of drainage systems.
Proactive climate resistance work is currently taking place at Browney Curve near Durham, where engineers are working to stabilise one kilometre of land alongside the East Coast Main Line, ensuring the reliable and safe running of trains for years to come.
Paul Rutter, Route Director for Network Rail’s East Coast route, said: “Over the next five years, we are committed to making the rail network across our route better for all our passengers.
“Climate change is an ever-increasing problem for our aging infrastructure, but we are proactively working to tackle the issue and improve the reliability and resilience of our network.
“We will also be carrying out major improvements to track, switches & crossings, the equipment used for trains to cross from one track to another, signals, level crossings, and more to improve train performance and increase reliability for passengers."
One in three Britons live within 20 minutes of an East Coast station. During CP7, the East Coast route will see £2.8 billion invested into the day-to-day running of the railway and a widespread programme of renewals and upgrades on the network.
“Climate change is an ever-increasing problem for our aging infrastructure, but we are proactively working to tackle the issue and improve the reliability and resilience of our network.”
This investment will include £285 million spent on the East Coast Digital Programme, which will see the southern end of the Main Line upgraded to digital signalling, leading to more reliable and greener services.
Hundreds of kilometres of track will also be renewed to enhance safety and network resilience.
Image credit: Network Rail
