Press release on the Kibworth bridge reported in this thread last week:
A new footbridge over the railway line in Kibworth has opened which will allow Network Rail engineers to continue to electrify the Midland Main Line.
www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk
A new footbridge over the railway line in Kibworth has opened which will allow Network Rail engineers to continue to electrify the Midland Main Line.
Engineers have installed a new footbridge on School Road in Kibworth to enable overhead wires to pass underneath, resulting in a greener, quieter, and faster railway for passengers.
The original School Road bridge had to be demolished as it was not tall enough for electric wires to safely pass underneath, with its new replacement now at the required height.
The wires will eventually power East Midlands Railway’s new bi-mode trains through the area as part of the Midland Main Line upgrade.
A temporary footbridge was installed to make sure residents could access shops and local schools safely whilst the work on the permanent bridge was ongoing.
Network Rail has also successfully completed work at Wistow Road bridge in Newton Harcourt, however Leicestershire County Council has retained the road closure at the site while work is completed in other areas.
Work is continuing at Newton Lane Bridge in Newton Harcourt to rebuild the structure to a height where overhead wires can pass underneath with an estimated completion date of mid-June.
Gavin Crook, Principal Programme Sponsor for Network Rail’s East Midlands Route, said: “I am delighted that work has been completed on the installation of a new footbridge in Kibworth. This is a vital link in the village and this new structure will provide safe access across the Midland Main Line for years to come.
“The work we have completed at School Road bridge and at other sites in the area will allow overhead wires to pass underneath the bridge, leading to smoother, greener journeys for passengers along our East Midlands route.
“I would like to thank local residents for their patience and understanding while the work was ongoing.”
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The May Modern Railways has a third of a page on MML on page 11. Beginning with what may be the same parliamentary answer mentioned in #6996 back in February it says electrification to Sheffield and Nottingham "could" be completed "in the early 2030s".
The upgrades to the equipment south of Bedford are due to be completed in 2025.
It goes on to say "Network Rail is continuing funded design and pre-construction work between Wigston Junction north towards Trent Junction, a further 28.4 miles."
"Design work as far as Trent Junction is largely complete, and it is understood that this has shown it will be possible to install continuous overhead wires through Leicester station. The low height of the bridge on which on which the station building stands, coupled with the presence of sewers limiting the ability to lower the tracks, had raised fears installing wires here would not be possible, but these have proved unfounded, though space is tight. The MML scheme is aiming to learn lessons from previous wiring programmes and to harness technologies which enable more efficient delivery, such as the use of voltage control clearances. As an example, on GW electrification 37% of bridges were rebuilt (some of which are on stretches where electrification was subsequently cancelled), but designs for the MML north of Market Harborough suggest just 13% of structures would require similar interventions."
