Network Rail has announced that it will commence a major upgrade project on the River Devon Viaduct, which carries the railway over the River Trent in Newark.
This 2 million GBP investment will help maintain reliability and safety for future services. It will involve a full renewal of the bridge, including replacing all 44 beams with fibre-reinforced foamed urethane beams. These are more environmentally friendly than traditional hardwood beams and are 100% recyclable.
The teams will also install new rails and sleepers on the tracks and will carry out structural improvements on the viaduct itself.
Rachel Braid, Project Manager for Network Rail, said:The work we’re doing to the River Devon Viaduct will not only boost reliability for passengers, but it will also future-proof the railway and enable trains to continue to run over the viaduct for years to come.
We have planned this work carefully to keep disruption for passengers to a minimum, but there are some changes to services for East Midlands Railway customers. We’d like to urge all passengers planning on travelling to, from or through Newark Castle during this time to check their journey via National Rail Enquiries.
While work takes place on the River Devon Viaduct, East Midlands Railway will run a reduced timetable to and from Newark Castle and will operate a bus replacement service.
