Train disruption warning for Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough passengers

The work will see three sets of switches and crossings, specialist equipment which allows trains to move from one piece of track to another, installed, and follows on from a similar project which took place in December.

This project is a major part of the construction of an additional line between Bedford and Kettering as part of the line upgrade and will create the capability for six trains to London St Pancras per hour, up from the current five by the end of 2020.

To allow the work to take place safely, some lines between Bedford and Kettering will be closed, meaning that a reduced train service will be in operation.

Two trains an hour will run between London St Pancras and Bedford.

There will also be a coach replacement service between Bedford and Corby, which will connect into an hourly rail service between Corby and Nottingham, and an hourly service between Corby and Sheffield via Kettering and Derby.

Passengers planning to travel during this time are strongly advised to check before they travel via National Rail Enquiries or on the East Midlands Trains website.

Gavin Crook from Network Rail said: “We would like to urge passengers planning on travelling on the weekend of April 13 and 14 to plan ahead as there will be a reduced service in operation, as well as coach replacement services.

“There is never an ideal time to carry out work on the railway.

“We do so at weekends as this is a time when fewer people travel, but we do appreciate that this can still have an impact which is why we are working extremely closely with train operators to keep passengers moving.

“The Midland mainline upgrade is the biggest investment into the railway since the Victorian era and we look forward to passengers reaping the benefits once completed.”

East Midlands Trains managing director Jake Kelly said: “The work taking place represents another key milestone in improving the Midland mainline.

“We are working alongside Network Rail to minimise the disruption as much as possible, but we know that it has impacted on our customers’ journeys, and we would like to thank our customers for their continued support while this work takes place.”