Network Rail has revealed plans for a railway track upgrade project on the East Coast Main Line.

The company has submitted a Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) to Transport Secretary Chris Grayling for approval.

The scheme involves removing a critical bottleneck between London and the North which, when combined with upgrades at Werrington and Doncaster, would ease congestion on the line and allow faster trains to overtake slower ones.

If approved, the TWAO would authorise the closure of Abbots Ripton bridleway level crossing and a diversionary bridleway route would be put in place. A proposed diversion route would then cross agricultural land adjacent to the railway. The closure of the crossing and the bridleway diversion is expected to be completed in summer 2018.

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Aidan Talbott, principal programme sponsor at Network Rail, said: "We're investing into the East Coast Main Line as part of our Railway Upgrade Plan to provide a more reliable railway and to reduce journey times. The work to install a fourth track is a vital part of this investment and will provide more services for passengers.

"We are committed to reducing risk on the railway and the TWAO, if made, will enable us to close Abbots Ripton bridleway level crossing and create a slightly revised route using a nearby archway under the line, making the railway safer for all those who use it."

Informational drop-in events on design and construction plans of the fourth track will be held later this year.

(LM/CD)