More rail passengers can now get to London St Pancras at peak travel times using greener trains thanks to a 10.5m platform extension at Corby Rail Station in Northamptonshire.
Network Rail is carrying out its biggest upgrade to the Midland Main Line, which runs between London and Sheffield in Yorkshire, since it was first built in 1870, with an investment of more than £1bn.
And, as part of NR’s programme, Corby station’s single platform fell under the spotlight earlier this year.
Engineer Nick Chia, said: “The wider programme of works is in response to rising demand and the Main Line upgrade, which will create a faster and more reliable network, incorporates track realignment, station remodelling, platform lengthening, capacity works, bridge reconstructions and signalling works as well as electrification of the line from Bedford to Kettering and Corby.
“HBPW was asked to design the platform extension at Corby which has two lines, along with re-surfacing work and coper realignment. The changes are relatively small in the greater scheme of things, however, the impact is considerable by contrast.
“It means that Corby station can now play its part in supporting greener trains and increasing the number of seats an hour into London during peak times, making for more comfortable journeys for commuters with less crowding.”
Work was carried out at the southern end of the platform so that passengers and station users were not disrupted by the construction work.
Network Rail’s Wendy Bell, said: “As a key part of the wider Midland Main Line Upgrade, a significant amount of work has already been carried out to improve the capacity, speed and resilience of the railway in and around Corby. This latest work to lengthen the platform is an important element in the wider scheme to create a more modern railway capable of meeting future demand.”
Jake Kelly, Managing Director for East Midlands Trains, said: “We are pleased to be working with Network Rail to deliver further improvements to the railway around Corby. This is all part of the huge programme of investment to improve the Midland Main Line route to London to provide customers with even better journeys.”
The Midland Main Line is a crucial railway line between London and Sheffield, comprising lines from London’s St Pancras station via Leicester, Derby/Nottingham and Chesterfield in the East Midlands.
Network Rail says passengers can look forward to a wide range of benefits as part of the continuing Midland Main Line upgrade, including more seats, quieter trains, and on the whole a more reliable and quicker service. am and Chesterf