Swineshead level crossing to undergo £1million worth of improvements
A £1million upgrade of Swineshead level crossing is to take place next month, it has been announced.
Network Rail engineers will be on site, near the A17/A1121 junction, from Monday, December 7, to replace the road and ensure better journeys for drivers.
The project will see the existing level crossing surface completely dug up and removed, as well as the stones supporting the track, known as the track and ballast.
New, stronger concrete will then be installed on the crossing before the new track is fitted into it.
A Network Rail spokesman confirmed that it will be the first time this type of level crossing surface has been used in the East Midlands.
Vinny Briggs, route level crossing manager for Network Rail, said: "This work to upgrade the road surface and the track at Swineshead level crossing is vital to improve journeys for drivers on the busy A17 and to make sure train services can continue running reliably for years to come.
"We have already upgraded the barriers and it is great that Swineshead level crossing is now the first one in the area to benefit from this new crossing surface.
"We have planned this work carefully so it causes as little disruption as possible and we are sorry for any inconvenience that the road closures cause."
As well as making it smoother for drivers and cyclists using the crossing, and quieter for people who live nearby, the new level crossing surface will also require less maintenance, reduce the number of road closures and disruption for drivers in future.
Road closures will be in place while the work is carries and diversions will be in place at this time.
Overnight road closures will be in place from 9pm until 7am on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, December 7-10, however, pedestrians and dismounted cyclists will still be able to use the crossing.
From 7pm on Friday December 11, until 7am on Monday, December 14, there will be no access for drivers, cyclists or pedestrians.
More overnight road closures will be in place, again 9pm until 7am from Monday, December 14, until Thursday, December 17.
Pedestrians and dismounted cyclists will once again have access over the crossing.
This project follows on from work in May when Network Rail replaced the old level crossing barriers with modern, new ones to help create a more resilient railway.
Neil Grabham, customer services director for East Midlands Railway, said: "The investment at Swineshead crossing is significant and will bring about long-term benefits to both road and rail users.
"East Midlands Railway will be working in partnership with Network Rail throughout the period of works to minimise the potential disruption to our passengers.
"We are therefore asking any passengers who are travelling over the weekend of Saturday and Sunday, December 12 and 13, to check before they travel as we will be providing buses to replace trains between Sleaford and Boston.
"Additional East Midlands Railway colleagues will be at the stations to assist customers and ensure all journeys can be completed in a safe manner, as comfortably as possibly.
"We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused during this time."