Residents and passengers in Leamington Spa are invited to discover more about a vital railway upgrade set to take place during the Easter period.

The project, which is part of a £2.4m investment to improve future travel between Nuneaton and Leamington Spa, will see the complete replacement of Rugby Road bridge which goes over the A445.

The project is set to begin on Thursday the 14th of April and is expected to complete on Tuesday the 19th of April.

Trains crossing the bridge are currently limited to 20mph due to the condition of the existing bridge.

Once the new bridge is put in place, trains will be able to return to normal speeds, bringing faster and more reliable travel for passengers just in time for the Commonwealth Games this summer.

Network Rail has been given permission by Warwick District Council to use part of Potterton Sports Fields as a temporary site compound whilst the project is underway. The site will allow engineers to build the new bridge ahead of it being driven down the A445 using a huge transporter vehicle called an SPMT (self-propelled modular transporter). This impressive move will take place during a full railway closure over the Easter bank holiday.

In order for the project to be carried out safely, some roads and footpaths will need to be closed during certain periods over the coming months.

Network Rail is inviting residents and businesses to come along and find out more about the possible impacts of the project between 3pm and 7pm on Thursday the 17th of March at The Jephson Hotel (previously The Falstaff Hotel), 16 to 20 Warwick New Road, CV32 5JQ.

Paul Randall, scheme project manager for Network Rail, said:

“Replacing Rugby Road railway bridge is a complex engineering project and I’d like to thank residents and businesses in advance of this major work, and also for their patience while we’ve been upgrading another bridge at Princes Drive nearby.

“There will be some disruption during the £2.4m Rugby Road upgrade which is why we’re holding an information event at The Jephson Hotel so people can find out more. I’d urge anyone to come along and meet some of the project team and we can explain in person how this important work is making the railway in Leamington better for the future.”

Working with Warwick District Council, Network Rail will undertake the upgrade with an approach that causes as little disruption as possible for the community during spring and early summer.

A helpline is available via the Warwick District Council website: https://www.warwickdc.gov.uk/news/article/782/railway_bridge_work_on_rugby_road_leamington_spa

Cllr Alan Rhead, Warwick District Council’s portfolio holder for environment and neighbourhood services, said:

“This is essential passenger safety work which needs to be completed by Network Rail as soon as possible. We are therefore happy to offer our support through the provision of part of Potterton Fields, Portobello Way on a temporary basis. Once complete the land will be restored to its former use as a public space with a number of enhancements being made to improve the biodiversity

. While the southern part of the fields are currently fenced off at both bridge access points the rest of the park will remain open to the public.”

This major investment is the second to be carried out for the railway in Leamington Spa during 2022 whilst strengthening and repainting work is also being carried out to the railway bridge on Princes Drive.

Passengers are being advised to plan their travel ahead of the Easter upgrade and to check before making their journey via http://www.nationalrail.co.uk