Information session ahead of Leamington Spa railway bridge upgrade

Rail passengers and residents in Leamington Spa are being invited to find out more about an essential railway bridge upgrade this Easter.

Rugby Road railway bridge over the A445 will be completely replaced from Thursday 14 April to Tuesday 19 April as part of a £2.4m Network Rail investment to improve future journeys between Nuneaton and Leamington Spa.

A speed limit of 20mph is currently in place for trains because of the existing bridge's condition.

When the new structure is installed the speed limit can be lifted meaning faster, more reliable journeys for passengers in time for Commonwealth Games events this summer.

Warwick District Council has given Network Rail permission to use a section of Potterton Sports Fields as a temporary site compound during the project.

This will let engineers build the new bridge nearby before the whole thing is driven down the A445 by a huge transporter vehicle known as a SPMT (self-propelled modular transporter) during a full railway closure over the Easter bank holiday.

For the essential upgrade to be safely carried out, some roads and footpaths will also be closed at certain times over the coming months*.

Network Rail is inviting residents and businesses to find out more about how the work could impact them between 3pm and 7pm on Thursday 17 March at The Jephson Hotel – formerly the Falstaff Hotel – 16-20 Warwick New Road, CV32 5JQ.

Paul Randall, scheme project manager for Network Rail, said: “Replacing Rugby Road railway bridge is a complex engineering project and I’d like to thank residents and businesses in advance of this major work, and also for their patience while we've been upgrading another bridge at Princes Drive nearby.

“There will be some disruption during the £2.4m Rugby Road upgrade which is why we’re holding an information event at The Jephson Hotel so people can find out more. I’d urge anyone to come along and meet some of the project team and we can explain in person how this important work is making the railway in Leamington better for the future.”

Network Rail is working with Warwick District Council to carry out the upgrade so it causes the least disruption possible to the community this spring and early summer.

A helpline has also been set up on the Warwick District Council website.

Cllr Alan Rhead, Warwick District Council’s portfolio holder for environment and neighbourhood services, said: “This is essential passenger safety work which needs to be completed by Network Rail as soon as possible. We are therefore happy to offer our support through the provision of part of Potterton Fields, Portobello Way on a temporary basis. Once complete the land will be restored to its former use as a public space with a number of enhancements being made to improve the biodiversity. While the southern part of the fields are currently fenced off at both bridge access points the rest of the park will remain open to the public.”

This is the second major investment into the railway in Leamington Spa in 2022.

Strengthening and repainting work is taking place on the railway bridge at Princes Drive.

The millions of pounds being invested will make the railway more reliable for passengers and freight as part of Britain's post-pandemic rail recovery.

Passengers are advised to plan ahead of the Easter upgrade and check before they travel at www.nationalrail.co.uk.