A £1.49 million programme of railway improvements in the East Midlands will see buses replace trains between Leicester and Peterborough over the weekend of 22 and 23 August.
The investment by Network Rail will deliver essential infrastructure upgrades designed to improve reliability, reduce the risk of flooding and provide smoother journeys for passengers travelling across the region.
Engineering teams will complete:
- The renewal of 576 metres of drainage at Kirby Bellars, Leicestershire, helping to prevent flooding and improve the resilience of the railway.
- The replacement of 583 metres of track at Ashwell, Rutland, enhancing ride quality and supporting more reliable train services.
As a result of the work, rail replacement bus services will operate between Leicester and Peterborough throughout the weekend, with passengers advised to allow additional time for their journeys.
Eric Larocque, Network Rail operations director, said:
“These improvements at Kirby Bellars and Ashwell are part of our ongoing investment in the railway across the East Midlands.”
“By renewing drainage and track, we’re helping to reduce the impact of flooding, improve reliability and provide smoother journeys for passengers.
“We’re sorry to passengers whose journeys will be affected, and we encourage passengers travelling over the weekend to check their journey before setting off.”
Mark Anderson, CrossCountry’s customer & commercial director, said:
“We’re sorry for the disruption to journeys in the East Midlands while this essential work takes place.
“On Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 August, rail replacement bus services will be in place between Leicester and Peterborough, with journeys scheduled to take longer than usual.
“We encourage customers to check their journey before travelling and allow extra time to complete their trip. We’d like to thank all those travelling for their patience and understanding while this important work is carried out.“
Passengers travelling with CrossCountry are being urged to check journey planners and travel information before setting out, as services through the affected section of route will be amended while the engineering work is completed.
Image credit: Network Rail
