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Network Rail completes latest signalling works on GNGE line

Network Rail has completed its work to bring 15 miles of new signalling into service on the Great Northern Great Eastern (GNGE) line.

The engineering works in the Sleaford and Spalding areas formed ‘phase four’ of the GNGE project – a £280m government-funded programme to transform the line into a modern railway, completed yesterday (Monday).

During the 16-day temporary closure of the railway, 1930s mechanical technology was replaced with modern electronic systems now controlled from Network Rail’s Lincoln Signalling Control Centre.

Additionally, the upgrading of 15 level crossings with the latest technology is the most so far delivered in a single block of work.

Phil Verster, route managing director for Network Rail, said: “We thank the local community, particularly businesses, for their patience and understanding during these works.

“The GNGE line is an important route for both freight and passenger trains. Demand for rail services continues to grow, and the upgrade of this line is an important project to help meet that demand.”

Phases one and three of the work between Sleaford and Gainsborough were completed earlier in 2014. Phase two – between Gainsborough and Doncaster – is about to get underway, with this work running from 16 August until 1 September.

Phase five – between Spalding and Peterborough – will take place in late October, and Network Rail will be holding further exhibitions in Spalding and other communities to the south of the town affected by the works.

The level crossings modernised in ‘phase four’ were:

•           Blotoft (Old Forty Foot Drain, Helpringham/Donington)

•           Maltings Lane (Ing Drove, Donington)

•           Golden High Hedges (Bull’s Bank/Cowdale Drove, Donington)

•           Church Lane (Church End Drove, Quadring)

•           Quadring (Town Drove, Quadring)

•           Brewery Lane (North Gate, Gosberton)

•           Gosberton (B1397 – Station Road, Gosberton)

•           Cheal Road (Cheal Road, Gosberton Risegate)

•           Water Drove (Gubbole’s Drove, Surfleet)

•           Burtey Fen (Burtey Fen Lane, Pinchbeck)

•           Flax Mill (Langhole Drove, Pinchbeck)

•           Cherry Holt (Mill Green Road/Cherry Holt Lane, Pinchbeck)

•           Blue Gowt (Blue Gowt Lane, Pinchbeck)

•           Mill Green (Woolham Wygate, Spalding)

•           Park Road (Park Road, Spalding)

(Image: Rowston Crossing)

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