“"We’d like to thank passengers for their patience while we carried out this major programme of improvements on the East Coast Main Line. The work at Chapman’s Bridge is a very good example of some of the less visible work we do to keep the railway running safely and reliably. Effective drainage is really important, especially as we head through autumn and into winter, in helping to keep water away from the railway and reducing the risk of flooding, damage and delays. Across our East Coast route, we look after more than 35,000 drainage assets and are investing millions of pounds in renewing and maintaining them. Alongside our other work to prepare for severe weather, improvements like these will help make the railway more resilient and keep passengers moving."
East Coast Main Line Drainage Upgrade Completed in North Yorkshire
Network Rail finishes vital work to improve resilience against wet weather and potential flooding.
By The SME Chronicle Newsroom
••2 min read
AI
Generic image of large pipes being installed on a railway embankment.
Network Rail has completed vital drainage upgrades on the East Coast Main Line in North Yorkshire, enhancing the railway's resilience against wet weather and reducing the risk of flooding.
Vital drainage work making the East Coast Main Line more resilient during wet weather has been completed as part of a major programme of railway improvements in North Yorkshire. The engineering work, carried out over two weekends, saw engineers renew 300 metres of drainage at Chapman’s Bridge, near Shipton, helping water drain away from the railway more effectively and reducing the risk of flooding and other weather-related problems.
Poor drainage can contribute to flooding, deterioration of the track layout and problems with surrounding earthworks. Maintaining and renewing drainage is an important part of preparing the railway for autumn and winter conditions. The work is part of Network Rail's significant investment in drainage across its East Coast route, with £19.3 million budgeted for renewals and maintenance by 2029.
In addition to the drainage renewal at Chapman’s Bridge, engineers carried out other significant upgrades between Colton Junction, south of York, through York station, and to Skelton Junction, north of York. These included installing new track, upgrading several sets of points, and improving overhead electric lines. Vegetation management was also undertaken between Tollerton and Thirsk.
Over a nine-day period, the Transpennine Route Upgrade also installed a new road bridge over the railway at Church Fenton and new overhead line equipment to provide power for future electric trains.
Based on information from the official source: Network Rail (03/11/2026)
