Passengers travelling through Lincolnshire are set to benefit from a £3 million investment in rail infrastructure as Network Rail undertakes a major track renewal project near Ancaster.
The scheme will see more than 3.6km of track renewed in a move designed to improve reliability, resilience and long-term performance for both passenger and freight services across the route.
To facilitate the works, rail replacement bus services will operate between Grantham and Sleaford over two consecutive weekends, on 7-8 November and 14-15 November.
As part of the project, engineers will install more than 5,600 new sleepers and 5,636 tonnes of ballast, helping to strengthen the railway and reduce the likelihood of future maintenance-related disruption. Specialist engineering trains and road-rail vehicles will be used throughout the programme.
The latest investment follows two significant infrastructure upgrades delivered elsewhere in Lincolnshire during October, including a £1.5 million track renewal near Snelland and a £1.4 million improvement scheme between Sleaford and Boston.
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.”
Passengers are being encouraged to check their journeys before travelling and allow extra time when using replacement transport services.
Image credit: Network Rail
