Over the next two weekends, services between Leicester and Kettering will be disrupted due to Network Rail improvement works.

200 metres of drainage systems are being renewed at Great Bowden and points at Leicester South Junction.

The work will be carried out on the 6th-7th June and 13th-14th June.

On both weekends, buses will replace CrossCountry Services (between Birmingham and Leicester), and East Midlands Railway will run one train per hour (between Nottingham/Sheffield and London St Pancras). Buses will also be in place (between Kettering and Leicester, calling at Market Harborough).

“This work between Leicester and Kettering is vital to keeping the railway safe and reliable for passengers and freight. By renewing drainage at Great Bowden and replacing track components at Leicester South Junction, we’re reducing the risk of flooding, improving reliability and cutting down on future maintenance.

“We’re sorry to anyone whose journey is affected, and we thank passengers for their patience while we carry out these important upgrades.”

Dan Matthews, Network Rail operations director