Rail Minister Chris Heaton-Harris officially opened the new Werrington Grade Separation and its dive-under on December 9. 

Located north of Peterborough station, the dive-under carries freight trains underneath the busy East Coast Main Line (RAIL 944). 

The original flat crossing was a major hindrance to putting more trains on the ECML. The new facility removes the conflict between long-distance high-speed passenger services and freight trains that had to cross all lines of the ECML between Peterborough station and Werrington Junctions to gain access to the Great Northern/Great Eastern Joint Line. 

It is deemed to be a crucial part of the £1.2 billion upgrade of the East Coast Main Line, improving the reliability and punctuality of inter-city passenger journeys while providing an extra 38% capacity that equates to an additional 2,900 to 3,950 seats per hour. 

“Opening this new section of railway marks the end of a project which saw Network Rail engineers deliver an incredible feat installing an 11,000-tonne concrete tunnel, freeing up tracks and unlocking new opportunities for rail freight,” said Heaton-Harris. 

To read the full story, see RAIL 947.