Train services between Newcastle and Carlisle will be disrupted at the end of April whilst engineers carry out improvements to two level crossings near Haltwhistle that will make them safer for cyclists, pedestrians, and motorists.

The level crossings are at Warden and Upper Denton, and they will be closed for road users and affect train services between Sunday, 21 April and Saturday, 27 April.

Signposted diversions will be in place for road users and rail replacement bus services will be in operation for train passengers.

Warden level crossing

At Warden level crossing, the road will be closed from 21.00 on Sunday, 21 April to 06.30 on Saturday, 27 April to enable the surface of the level crossing to be improved.

The work will include removal and replacement of the current level crossing deck, installing new drainage, and renewing the sleepers across the level crossing. The final part of the work will see the new tarmac laid on the road’s surface and new road markings painted.

Denton School level crossing

Denton School level crossing will be closed to road traffic from 20.00 on Monday, 22 April to 20.00 on Thursday, 25 April so that the surface of the level crossing can be improved and old equipment can be replaced.

Last year, three level crossings in Hexham received safety improvement.

Rail replacement bus services

Buses will replace trains between Hexham and Carlisle in both directions from Monday, 22 April until the end of service on Friday 26 April. Train services will return to normal on Saturday 27 April.

These upgrades are significant in providing safer level crossings for all users and improving the reliability of the railway on this important cross-country route.

We want to encourage passengers to check before they travel and to plan ahead with their journeys via National Rail Enquires or their train operator while these vital improvements are underway.

We would also like to thank the public for their patience and understanding while this vital work is taking place.

Richard Cunningham, Senior Asset Engineer for Network Rail