Bridge Works To Continue After Safety Concerns Resolved
Written by HFM News on 2nd March 2023
Leicestershire County Council has reached agreement with Network Rail after preventing the demolition of a bridge near Great Glen.
The authority was unhappy with proposals for new highway infrastructure at the site on Station Road, including crash barriers, and had refused to sign-off the plan.
Concerns included the work not meeting safety standards.
Talks between the organisations have now resolved the situation and Councillor Ozzy O’Shea, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “I’m pleased to say that we’ve made significant progress which will now allow Network Rail to start the next phase of the electrification of the Midland Main Line.
“The discussions we have had now enables Network Rail to continue with their programme while ensuring that road users in the area are safe which is an absolute priority of the council.
“We’ve always welcomed the scheme as it’s a key project in terms of boosting the economic well-being of the county as well as reinforcing our commitment to net zero.”
The bridge on Station road will be demolished & replaced.
Pic: Network Rail
Station Road is closed for several months to allow for the bridge to be demolished and a new higher structure to be built, to accommodate electric wires.
Gavin Crook, Principal Sponsor for Network Rail, said: “I want to thank Leicestershire County Council for the intensive work which has been carried out between our organisations over recent weeks.
“The electrification of the Midland Main Line is an incredibly exciting and important project, helping our transport networks to become more ecologically friendly.
“We fully recognise the need to work with local communities while we are working within them to take local needs into consideration and, of course, make sure that we never compromise safety – either on the railway or in the communities through which the railway passes.
“We will continue to work with the county council to provide a safe solution for road and rail users, as well as to meet the needs of the community as we progress this exciting investment in our railway.”
