Bridge work could delay rail trips to the seaside
RAIL travellers aiming to head to the seaside this weekend might get caught up in disruption due to engineering work.
Improvement work at Keadby sliding railway bridge will mean changes to journeys between Doncaster and Cleethorpes this weekend (May 16 and 17.
The unique structure – connecting South Yorkshire with Scunthorpe and the Lincolnshire coast – is on one of the UK’s busiest freight routes and Network Rail will be installing a new track system and undertaking upgrades to some mechanical equipment.
The work this weekend follows a number of mechanical and structural improvements made in the past 12 months at Keadby sliding bridge, which spans the Stainforth and Keadby Canal. This included repainting the structure white to reduce heat absorption.
The work means that on Saturday and Sunday, TransPennine Express services will run between Liverpool Lime Street and Doncaster only. A replacement bus service will run between Doncaster and Scunthorpe/Cleethorpes.
Northern services on Saturday will run between Doncaster and Hatfield & Stainforth only. A replacement bus service will operate between Hatfield & Stainforth and Scunthorpe. Additional trains will run between Sheffield and Cleethorpes via Gainsborough Central.
Northern do not run on the route between Doncaster and Scunthorpe on Sundays.
In addition, track renewal is taking place south of Elsham, Lincolnshire throughout next week. This will mean trains from Liverpool Lime Street will terminate at Scunthorpe, with rail replacement buses operating between Scunthorpe and Cleethorpes from Monday May 18 to Friday May 22.
Karen Duffy, Network Rail operations director, said: “Keadby sliding bridge is a vital link for both passenger and freight services, and this work will help ensure it continues to operate reliably for years to come.
“By improving the alignment of the track, we can deliver smoother journeys and reduce the need for future maintenance.”
A spokesperson for TransPennine Express and Northern said: “We’re working closely with Network Rail to support these important improvements.
“While services will be amended over the weekend and into next week, these upgrades will help provide more reliable journeys in future.”