Disruption warning over rail renewal work

Network Rail said teams would install more than 560 metres of new rail at Syston North Curve (stock image)

Passengers have been reminded of rail renewal work in Leicestershire that will affect some journeys this weekend.

Network Rail said on Saturday, staff would be installing more than 560 metres of new rail at Syston North Curve, in a £600,000 investment "to improve the resilience and reliability of the railway".

Trains between Nottingham and Leicester will be affected and will not call at Barrow-upon-Soar, Sileby or Syston. Rail replacement buses will run between Leicester and Loughborough, serving these stations.

Some Nottingham to Norwich services and long-distance trains to and from London St Pancras will run earlier or later than usual, Network Rail added.

Network Rail said the curve was a tight bend mainly used by heavy freight, causing higher than usual strain on the network.

It added a team of about 130 people will be involved in completing the work.

Dan Matthews, Network Rail operations director, apologised for any disruption to journeys.

"Replacing the rail in this way reduces the chances of disruption from future maintenance issues, and completing the work over a single weekend minimises the number of affected journeys as best we can," he said.

East Midlands Railway recommended passengers planning to travel on Saturday to check their journey in advance.

Full details of the amended services can be found here.