Network Rail is warning passengers of upcoming disruption as rail replacement work at Swinton Station, Rotherham, begins. Engineers are set to renew nearly half a kilometre of track from Saturday, April 4.

Delivered by CRSA, the project will replace old track and install new foundations using rail-mounted cranes and engineering trains. This includes installing 420 metres of rail, 2,500 tonnes of ballast, and 650 sleepers. Three sets of points are also expected to be renewed during the works.

Most preparation work (starting 4 April) will take place overnight and at weekends to minimise disruption. However, major engineering work will affect services on 9 to 10 May and 16 to 17 May. 

CrossCountry trains will not call at Wakefield Westgate, and services between Sheffield and Leeds will be retimed.

Northern services will see changes, with some trains not stopping at Swinton, reduced services between Moorthorpe and Leeds, and replacement buses running between Sheffield and Moorthorpe or York.

“Renewing the track at Swinton is vital for maintaining a safe and reliable railway, and working at night allows our teams to do this efficiently without disrupting train timetables.

“We’re grateful for the patience of residents while we carry out these essential improvements and will do everything we can to keep disturbance to a minimum.”

Karen Duffy, Network Rail operations director.