Network Rail engineers will be carrying out an extensive programme of engineering work at Keadby sliding bridge, near Scunthorpe, which will result in changes to train services through the area.

Teams will be working for nine days from Saturday 17 to early morning on Monday 26 February to strengthen one of the walls of the Stainforth & Keadby canal which needs repair. During the work, new rails and other fresh track equipment will also be installed on the railway bridge.

Engineers will be draining part of the canal before knocking down part of its north wall and installing a new, prefabricated concrete slab onto the wall, stabilising it and allowing train services to run over the bridge for years to come.


The nine-day programme of work will result in passengers experiencing smoother and more reliable journeys as they travel by train.

The original Keadby sliding bridge dates to the late 1800s and is the only bridge of its kind in the UK. The railway it carries is one of the busiest routes for freight services on Britain’s rail network and connects passengers between Doncaster and the Lincolnshire coast.

Due to the improvements, there will be changes to passenger services between Doncaster and Scunthorpe.

Rail replacement services will operate on all days between Doncaster and Scunthorpe.

For TransPennine Express passengers, replacement bus services will operate each day between Doncaster and Scunthorpe non-stop in both directions. Train services will continue to run between Liverpool Lime Street and Doncaster and also Scunthorpe to Cleethorpes.

Northern will operate a Monday to Saturday replacement coach service that will call at Kirk Sandall, Hatfield & Stainforth, Thorne South, Crowle, Althorpe, and Scunthorpe.

Passengers are encouraged to check their journeys before travelling via National Rail Enquiries or with their train operator.