Saturday the 17th of February will see Network Rail engineers make an early start on a large-scale engineering project for the one-of-a-kind Keadby sliding bridge near Scunthorpe.

The 9-day programme of work will mean changes to train services for customers travelling between Doncaster and Scunthorpe from the 17th through to Monday the 26th of February.

The complex project to repair a wall of the Stainforth & Keadby canal will also see new rails and fresh track equipment fitted to the rail bridge.

The work will see engineers drain part of the canal prior to demolishing part of the north wall before replacing it with a new prefabricated concrete slab which will stabilise the wall.

The project will enable safe, smoother, and more reliable train services using the bridge for passengers for years to come.

The sliding bridge was constructed in 1925 by Sir William Arrol of Dalmarnock and works by sliding open to allow boats on the Stainforth and Keadby canals to pass, before returning to its original position, enabling trains to continue with their journey.

The impressive bridge is part of one of the busiest freight routes on the rail network alongside keeping rail passengers on the move between Doncaster and the Lincolnshire coast.

Changes to train services during the period of work are as follows:

TransPennine Express:

• Non-stop rail replacement buses will operate every day during the period of work, travelling in both directions between Doncaster and Scunthorpe
• Train services will continue to operate between Liverpool Lime Street and Doncaster and also Scunthorpe to Cleethorpes

Northern:

• Rail replacement coach services will operate from Monday to Saturday calling at: Kirk Sandall, Hatfield & Stainforth, Thorne South, Crowle, Althorpe and Scunthorpe.

During the period of work, rail customers are advised to check their travel plans ahead of making a journey using National Rail Enquiries or via their rail operator.

Whilst the major project is carried out, Network Rail will also take the opportunity to complete significant repairs to Althorpe Station’s platform structure, including a like-for-like renewal of its current footbridge.

Whilst this work is underway, a temporary footbridge will be put in place in order to keep passengers using Platform 2 on the move.

This extensive programme of upgrades to Keadby sliding bridge and the canal wall will be beneficial for our passengers as they experience smoother, more reliable journeys as they travel by train between Doncaster and Scunthorpe.

This is a large-scale piece of work, but we have deliberately planned to carry it out in a longer period so that our engineers can work to deliver all the vital maintenance and upgrades at once, rather than causing multiple periods of disruption. However, we know that this work will be disruptive to passengers, and we are sorry for any inconvenience caused.

We would encourage all passengers to check how their journey may be affected ahead of travelling via National Rail Enquiries or their train operator. I also want to thank passengers for their patience and understanding throughout this period.

Matt Rice, Route Director for Network Rail’s North & East Route

We welcome this investment in the region’s rail infrastructure and the benefits the works will bring to our passengers travelling between South Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire. Whilst there will be short-term inconvenience, this is about long-term improvements to the network and we ask for customers’ patience and understanding during the period of disruption.

Kerry Peters, Regional Director for Northern

We want to thank our customers for their patience as Network Rail carries out an extensive programme of upgrades to Keadby sliding bridge which will provide long-term improvements to the network.

We are advising customers to check before they travel at www.tpexpress.co.uk/travel-updates or National Rail Enquiries.

Kathryn O’Brien, Customer Service and Operations Director at TransPennine Express