£23million railway improvements on Shireoaks-Sheffield line as Network Rail upgrades signalling and track
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From Saturday, March 13, major work will take place to upgrade the signalling system and improve sections of the track.
Network Rail said that carrying out both pieces of work in nine days will reduce disruption for passengers and means that they can benefit from ‘smoother, more reliable journeys much quicker’.
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The old signal-box based signalling system for controlling trains is being relocated to a state-of-the-art centre in York.
Network Rail will also be replacing older mechanical signals with modern colour light ones.
As part of this project, Woodburn, Woodhouse and Beighton signal boxes will close and be removed.
Although they are well-recognised in the community, the cost of keeping these buildings without an operational purpose is significant.
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Network Rail has engaged with local stakeholders about the future of Beighton signal box. Unfortunately, the box needs to be removed to make space for new signalling equipment which is needed on the land it currently sits on.
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Chris Gee, Operations Director for Network Rail, said: “These vital improvements will modernise the railway, reduce delays for passengers and bring smoother, more reliable journeys between Sheffield and Lincoln.
“We’re carrying out major work to upgrade the signalling system, as well as the track in the Woodburn area, over the nine days to keep disruption to a minimum. This avoids having to close the line again at a later date and means that passengers can reap the benefits much quicker.
“This work can only be done safely when there are no trains running on the line. Bus replacement services are in place to keep passengers who need to make essential journeys moving.”
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For all of this work to take place safely, the line will be closed between Sheffield and Shireoaks and the following changes to train services will be in place:
From Saturday 13 until Sunday, March 21, buses will replace Northern trains between Sheffield, Worksop, Retford and Lincoln.
Buses will arrive and depart from stands E5 or E6 at Sheffield Interchange bus station, a ten-minute walk from Sheffield station.
Train services will continue to run between Gainsborough Lea Road, Saxilby and Lincoln. There will also be bus replacement services between these stations.
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Buses will also replace Northern trains between Sheffield and Gainsborough Central/Cleethorpes.
Tram Train services will run as normal throughout the vast majority of the work, but there will be no service to Rotherham or Parkgate on Sunday, March 21.
East Midlands Railway services between Worksop and Nottingham and between Doncaster and Spalding via Lincoln are unaffected by this work and will continue to run.
Work is also taking place to upgrade Beighton level crossing. Modernising it by installing new equipment will improve reliability.
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The section of Rotherham Road at the crossing closed on Saturday, March 6 and will remain closed until Sunday, March 21. A signposted diversion is in place for drivers and access over the crossing will be maintained for pedestrians.