Oakham Road users should expect delays at the town's level crossings on Saturday the 12th and and Saturday the 19th of November 2022, avoiding them where possible on these dates.

Vital freight services have been forced to travel in the 'wrong direction' through the town and over Foster's Bridge, which is only operating one way after it was struck by a lorry on Saturday the 5th of November.

Network Rail stated that: "Network Rail engineers are working around the clock to repair the bridge, but the extensive damage means that a significant part needs to be replaced and this could take up to three weeks."

The damages are impacting a major freight route, which carries container traffic between the port at Felixstowe and the Midlands. Most of these services are being diverted via London, but essential engineering work on the Crossrail route makes the London diversion unavailable on Saturdays, meaning that the level crossings in and around Oakham will be busier than usual.

The additional seven freight trains will be travelling the 'wrong way' along the line over the bridge. Up to 15 trains a day will also travel in the normal direction.

This means that the level crossing barriers will be down for much longer than usual and people should choose an alternative route wherever possible.

Steve Hopkinson, East Midlands Operations Director for Network Rail said: "We know how busy these level crossings are and we are doing everything we can to minimise disruption. The trains are carrying vital imports to stock shop shelves ahead of Christmas. Moving that traffic to the road would add around 76 lorries per train.

"Wherever possible, we're asking drivers and pedestrians in Oakham to avoid the level crossings and to allow more time for their journeys. I am sorry for the disruption which this will cause."

Local man, Chris, added: "Having been getting the replacement bus service from Oakham station to Leicester after work, I can confirm that so far, on Tuesday 8th November, the bus at 17:32 didn't turn up until 18:05. Furthermore, the bus on Wednesday 9th November at 17:32 didn't turn up at all, this meant that there was no transport from Oakham station until Leicester until 19:00. This service is a farce and please do not rely on it to get you to rugby, football, Christmas shows or shopping."

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