Network Rail Completes Major East Coast Main Line Signalling Work Near Peterborough

Network Rail has completed major signalling work on a new section of track north of Peterborough that will allow freight trains to begin using a new tunnel and divert underneath the East Coast Main Line.

This will lead to faster, more reliable services for both passengers and freight.

Network Rail completes major signalling work near Peterborough ready for freight trains to begin diving under East Coast Main Line this winter
Network Rail completes major signalling work near Peterborough ready for freight trains to begin diving under East Coast Main Line this winter

Over 4–5 September, engineers commissioned the signalling system, which will allow trains to safely run on the two new tracks.

Part of the 1.2 billion GBP (1.39bn euros | 1.65bn USD) East Coast Upgrade, work began onsite at Werrington in 2018 with the 11,000-tonne tunnel, which was built onsite as trains continued running on the East Coast Main Line, pushed into place in January 2021.

Teams then installed around eight kilometres of track in the area which runs through the new tunnel. Over the summer, work has been completed to connect the new track to the existing Stamford lines and put the signalling equipment in place.

Essential testing will take place over the next few weeks, with trains are expected to begin using the tunnel by the end of 2021.

Ed Akers, Principal Programme Sponsor for Network Rail’s East Coast Upgrade, said:

“We've completed vital signalling work over the weekend which will allow freight trains to begin using the new tunnel and divert underneath the East Coast Main Line, rather than crossing it, from later this year.

“Our teams have completed the vast majority of this project, without impacting on train services. It’ll bring faster, more frequent and more reliable services for passengers travelling between London, Peterborough, the North of England and Scotland.”

Get your news featured on Railway-News

Please fill in the contact form opposite. A member of the team will be in touch shortly.







    We'd love to send you the latest news and information from the world of Railway-News. Please tick the box if you agree to receive them.

    For your peace of mind here is a link to our Privacy Policy.

    By submitting this form, you consent to allow Railway-News to store and process this information.

    Subscribe
    Follow Railway-News on LinkedIn
    Follow Railway-News on Twitter