Construction in Collingham is progressing rapidly as a £4.7 million infrastructure project moves towards completion, promising safer roads and faster rail services.

The scheme includes a new link road running alongside the railway, connecting south of Cross Lane level crossing to the east of Swinderby Road. Cross Lane itself is also being upgraded between the crossing and Potter Hill Road.

Once complete, trains on the Newark-to-Lincoln route will be able to travel at up to 75mph, an increase from the current 50 to 70mph range, helping to reduce journey times and improve reliability.

Safety improvements are central to the project. The new road will have a 30mph speed limit, replacing the national speed limit on the existing route, and Cross Lane level crossing, long seen as a safety risk, will be permanently closed.

The work forms part of a wider programme to modernise the railway, including signalling upgrades and the closure of Swinderby’s mechanical signal box, with control moving to Lincoln.

Swinderby Road remains closed until 30 March, followed by Cross Lane closures until 13 May. The new road is expected to open on 29 May.

“We’re very pleased to be making progress on this important project, which will remove a long‑standing level‑crossing safety risk and help unlock the wider benefits of the Swinderby resignalling programme.

“The new road will be a significant boost for the rail line, improving journey times between Newark and Lincoln, while also improving the experience for motorists in the area.

“We’d like to thank residents for their patience while we complete the road construction and associated work.”

Nick Wilton, Network Rail senior sponsor.