Passengers travelling on the Midland Main Line this weekend (Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th of August) are being advised by Network Rail and East Midlands Railway to check their travel plans ahead of making their journey due to vital work taking place on the Midland Main Line Upgrade.
Work being carried out over the weekend will see the track lowered between Kettering and Wigston alongside the installation of overhead line equipment. This part of the track needs to be lowered in order to create a safe distance between two bridges and electric wires used to power the trains once fully electrified. The period of work will also see drainage improved in the area.
In order to carry out the work in a safe and efficient manner, no trains will operate between Kettering and Leicester, over the weekend, however, passengers will be able to make use of rail replacement services which will run between Kettering, Market Harborough and Leicester.
During the period of work, East Midlands Railway will operate a reduced timetable to and from London St Pancras International, which will see trains departing from their origin stations earlier than usual and arriving at destinations later than normal. During the work, no trains will call at Market Harborough and will also see a diversion via Corby.
East Midland Railway trains travelling between London St Pancras Internation and Kettering/Corby will not see journeys terminate at Wellingborough. Passengers will be able to make use of alternative services which are diverted via Corby.
Passengers are advised by the rail operator to check their travel plans ahead of setting off for a journey using either National Rail Enquiries or their website, which can be reached by clicking here.
Gavin Crook, Principal Programme Sponsor for Network Rail, said:
“The work we're doing this weekend as part of the Midland Main Line Upgrade is vital, and will bring us one step closer to providing smoother, greener and better journeys for all passengers using the route.”
“If you are using the route this weekend, please check before travelling as there are changes to services, including bus replacements and diversion routes. We'd like to thank everyone who is impacted by this work for their patience.”
Dave Meredith, Customer Services Director for East Midlands Railway, said:
“We are asking any customers planning to travel to or from London this weekend to plan ahead and allow plenty of time to complete their journey.”
“Our trains will be unable to call at Market Harborough station and rail replacement buses will keep passengers moving between Kettering and Market Harborough and Market Harborough and Leicester.”
“We would like to thank our customers for their patience whilst the engineering work along the Midland Main Line is taking place.”
Leicester left off upgrade due to bridges and the station area seems daft in this day and age with all advances in technology