Temporary Bridge Open After Villagers’ Campaign

A temporary footbridge has opened over the railway in Kibworth after residents battled to keep two parts of the village connected.

It has been erected near the main bridge off School Road, which is set to be demolished this weekend and then re-built as part of work to electrify the Midland Mainline.

Villagers mounted a campaign for the temporary structure earlier this year when Network Rail initially proposed to shut the well-used pedestrian route for over six months, while the work took place.

The temporary footbridge is now open

The route is used by residents to get to and from Kibworth Harcourt and Kibworth Beauchamp, with many youngsters using it to get to and from school.

The campaign was backed by Harborough MP Neil O’Brien and local councilors, including Kevin Feltham:

The temporary footbridge

The temporary bridge, which is lit inside, will be temporarily closed this weekend while the main bridge is demolished for health and safety reasons, but will re-open at 6am on Monday.

A Network Rail spokesperson said: “We are pleased to have been able to put the temporary bridge in place which will make sure that those with pushchairs, wheelchairs and scooters can safely access local schools and nurseries in the village.

“We’d like to thank the community for their feedback and support.”

Part of the bridge being lowered into place

Buses will replace train services from Market Harborough this weekend as the line between Leicester and Kettering will be closed for the bridge demolition and other engineer works connected with the electrification project.

Dave Meredith, Customer Services Director for East Midlands Railway, said: “We are asking any customers planning to travel to or from London this weekend (Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 October) to allow plenty of time to complete their journey.

“An amended timetable will be in place on our Intercity route. This will mean trains will not call at Market Harborough and some trains will additionally call at Corby and Kettering.

“Rail replacement buses will run between Kettering, Market Harborough, and Leicester.

“We would like to thank our customers for their patience whilst the engineering work along the Midland Main Line is taking place.”