Two major Midland Main Line engineering projects complete - one more to take place next week

A nine-day blockade at the southern end of the Midland Main Line has been completed, but a week-long closure at the northern end is set to get under way next week.

Between December 21 and 29, a new road bridge was installed over the railway at Camden as the 160-year-old Agar Grove structure was removed. Network Rail said the removal of the original bridge will improve journey times as it will end the need for maintenance.

Mark Budden, Network Rail Route Director, said: “The bridge deck at Agar Grove was more than 160 years old and needed replacing. While there is no perfect time to close the railway, the Christmas break provides the best opportunity because of lower passenger numbers.

“These essential upgrades will result in smoother and more reliable journeys for passengers in the future.”

Further north, a new bridge was slid under the Midland Main Line that will provide rail access to the Radlett Strategic Freight Interchange.

The interchange is part of the 335,000sqm SERGO Logistics Park Radlett, with the bridge built alongside the railway before being installed over the Christmas period.

The project has been unpopular with some locals after SERGO bought part of the former Radlett Aerodrome site from Hertfordshire County Council for £34 million. The remaining part of the site was brought from private owners.

Locals campaigned against the council sale, saying the authority had promised to protect the land to be used as open space when it bought its share of the site for £1 in 1984. However, a High Court review concluded the sale was lawful.

At the northern end of the Midland Main Line, Network Rail will be replacing 2.7km (1.6 miles) of track between Dore & Totley and Sheffield from January 6-10.

During this period rail replacement buses will be used in place of East Midlands Railway, Northern and TransPennine Express services in and around Sheffield.

Network Rail said: “The track currently requires a large amount of maintenance because the rail dates to before 1976.

“If this replacement work is not carried out, it would mean an indefinite speed restriction being imposed and journeys being affected over a much longer period.”