The Midland Main Line Upgrade will reach a major milestone over the weekend of the 28th and 29th of January as Network Rail will install approximately 640 foundations using a process called piling.
The work will see the foundations meet the halfway mark for the electrification process between Kettering and Wigston. The foundations are essential to the electrification process as they will support the masts which carry electric wires that will power trains creating a cleaner and greener railway.
Work will also get underway for the electrification scheme between Kibworth and Market Harborough over the same weekend and will see teams clearing vegetation which overhangs the lineside.
Sunday the 29th of January will see no trains able to call at Market Harborough station in order for the work to be carried out safely. Services operating both to and from London will see a diversion in place via Melton Mowbray and Corby whilst only EMR Connect service will run between London and Wellingborough.
Rail replacement buses will be in operation between Market Harborough and Kettering / Leicester in order to keep passengers on the move.
Customers travelling over the working period are advised to check their travel by using either National Rail or via their rail operator's website leaving plenty of extra time to complete their journey.
Gavin Crook, Principal Programme Sponsor for Network Rail said: “Installing half of our foundations is a significant milestone which takes us one step closer to delivering a cleaner, greener railway for both passengers and our lineside neighbours.
“We're packing in as much work as we can over the weekend and there will be some changes to services through Market Harborough. Please plan ahead, check your journey before setting off and allow extra time.”
Neil Grabham, Customer Services Director for EMR said: “We are asking any customers planning to travel to or from London on Sunday 29 January to plan ahead and allow plenty of time to complete their journey.
“Our trains will be unable to call at Market Harborough station on Sunday 29 January and our Intercity services to and from London will be diverted via Melton Mowbray and Corby. Our EMR Connect services will only run between London and Wellingborough.
“Rail Replacement buses will keep passengers moving between Market Harborough and Kettering / Leicester.
“We would like to thank our customers for their patience whilst the engineering work along the Midland Main Line is taking place.”
Electrification on the Midland Main Line should extend all the way to Nottingham and Derby.