Network Rail is carrying out work to connect a new tunnel north of Peterborough to existing railway.

The project at Werrington will allow slower moving freight trains to dive underneath the famous passenger route.

It is part of the £1.2billion East Coast Upgrade, which has also seen major work completed to transform the track layout and reopen a tunnel at King’s Cross, making it easier for more trains to enter and exit the station.

In January, engineers pushed the world’s longest single underground jacked structure – an 11,000-tonne curved concrete box – into place at Werrington, in a UK first for engineering. 

Since then, work has taken place to install around 4km of track inside the new tunnel, as well as signalling equipment, without disrupting train services.

On Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 July, engineers will carry out an essential part of the project – to connect the new track to the existing Stamford lines.