Work on a 12-week railway upgrade project in Northamptonshire is now complete.

The scheme, which is part of the Midland Main Line Upgrade, saw engineers use 57 engineering trains to install 4kms of new track, renewing over half a kilometre of track and laying over 300 tonnes of ballast.

In addition, Irchester and Wellingborough viaducts and Sharnbrook Tunnel were strengthened and repaired, while Halsey Road bridge in Bedford was demolished and reconstructed to support increased rail traffic which will use the additional and existing lines in the future.


Work is continuing on the Midland Main Line Upgrade with reconstruction works ongoing at Bush bridge, Finedon Road bridge and Station Road bridge in Wellingborough.

Ed Akers, Principal Programme Sponsor at Network Rail, said: "We'd like to thank passengers for their patience whilst this vital upgrade was carried out and apologise for any disruption this caused. We've worked closely with East Midlands Trains to keep this to a minimum.

"Whilst this major milestone has been reached, we are still continuing with work in the county as part of the Midland Main Line Upgrade. This work will see three bridges reconstructed to allow electrified wires to be positioned safely beneath them and we look forward to passengers seeing the benefit once this work is completed."

(LM/MH)