A6121 and railway line to reopen between Stamford and Oakham following bridge crash

Train services on the line through Stamford Oakham are to resume following a crash.

Foster's Bridge in Ketton was hit by a lorry on November 5, causing the rail line to close.

Since then buses have replaced rail services between Leicester and Peterborough, but travel should return to normal in both directions on Wednesday (November 23).

Drivers in Oakham should expect much longer delays at the town’s level crossings on Saturday (November 19) and are urged to avoid them.

Essential freight services have been able to cross the damaged bridge, but using a 'one way' system.

The A6121 Stamford Road, which runs underneath Foster’s Bridge, is not expected to reopen until 6pm on Friday, November 25.

Gary Walsh, East Midlands route director for Network Rail, said: “This has been a massive piece of work for our teams and I am pleased that the line between Leicester and Peterborough will fully reopen next Wednesday.

"The damage to the bridge at Ketton was substantial and we are very sorry for the impact this has caused.

“Our teams have worked hard to carry out these repairs as quickly as possible and I’d like to thank passengers and the local community for their patience.

"In the meantime, passengers should continue to check before they travel and drivers in the Oakham area should avoid the level crossings in the town wherever possible on Saturday.”

John Robson, regional director East Midlands and East Anglia for CrossCountry, said: "We are looking forward to being able to run our services as normal again and are delighted with how efficient Network Rail have been to be able to reinstate services following the substantial impact the damage to the bridge has caused.

"We would like to echo Network Rail thanks to the local community and our customers for their patience."