WORK HAS begun to remove vegetation on the Midland main line as part of plans to extend electrification north from Kettering to Market Harborough. Vegetation work was due to take place between February and April. The plan to extend the overhead electrification will connect the wires to a substation at Braybrooke, which will feed the increased volume of electric trains planned for the MML. Work is concluding on the London to Corby (L2C) project, delivered by SPL Powerlines for Network Rail. SPL is now undertaking design work on the extension to Market Harborough, which is currently planned for delivery in 2023. Also in design is an upgrade of the overhead wires south of Bedford to enable their use by electric trains at up to 125mph, the current maximum speed being 100mph. SPL has awarded Whitfield Construction Services a contract for detailed design of the upgrade needed to allow operation of additional electric trains south of Bedford.
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