Train disruption at Kettering and Corby as £1.5bn rail improvements continue

The Midland Main Line is being upgraded
Upgrades to the Midland main line will cause rail disruption for the next two weekendsUpgrades to the Midland main line will cause rail disruption for the next two weekends
Upgrades to the Midland main line will cause rail disruption for the next two weekends

There will be rail disruption at Kettering over the next two weekends as work on the Midland Main Line upgrade continues.

The line is having a £1.5bn upgrade to improve journeys and increase the number of trains running on the line that links London to Sheffield and Nottingham via Northants.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Gavin Crook, principal programme sponsor for Network Rail, said: "This work is a key part of the Midland Main Line Upgrade which will bring significant benefits for passengers when complete."

On the weekends of July 4 and 5, and July 11 and 12, work will take place to commission and test two new substations on the route between Bedford and Ampthill as well as installation of new overhead line equipment.

While this work is taking place, there will be disruption. A replacement bus service will run between Kettering, Market Harborough and Leicester and between Leicester and Loughborough on Saturday, July 4 after 10pm.

The following day there will be no trains between Market Harborough or Leicester and bus replacements will run all day.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The following week on Saturday July 11, trains to and from Sheffield and Nottingham will terminate at Market Harborough. Bus replacements will run from Market Harborough to Luton where Thameslink trains will travel into London.

On Sunday, July 12 trains to and from Sheffield and Nottingham will terminate at Corby and will not call at Leicester or Market Harborough. Rail replacement buses will travel between Loughborough and Luton, and between Corby and Luton.

A Thameslink service will run from Luton to St Pancras.

Passengers are being asked to avoid public transport where possible and those who need to travel should check their journey on National Rail Enquiries.

Those using public transport should wear face coverings to protect themselves and others. Children, people with disabilities and those with breathing difficulties are exempt from the need to wear a mask.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

People are also being reminded to stay safe and not trespass on rail tracks as the new overhead line equipment carries 25,000 volts of electricity, enough to seriously injure or kill anyone coming into contact with it.

A Network Rail safety campaign called Always On warns people about the dangers of trespassing on electrified railway lines.

Message from the editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the highest standards in the world. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers and consequently the advertising that we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you