NETWORK Rail has conceded that some work hoped to be carried out during the weekend closure of March Rail Station, as part of a £1.35 million re-signalling contract, did not take place. The company closed the station, and laid on coaches for passengers, t

NETWORK Rail has conceded that some work hoped to be carried out during the weekend closure of March Rail Station, as part of a £1.35 million re-signalling contract, did not take place.

The company closed the station, and laid on coaches for passengers, to enable re-signalling work to get under way.

However, some nearby residents told the Cambs Times that the closure need not have happened since some of the materials needed for the work either did not get ordered or delivered on time.

Stuart Buss, media relations manager for Network Rail, admitted this week that the re-signalling project "has encountered some minor delays".

But he said the closure was used "to bring the work in line with the project programme."

He added: "The work carried out this weekend was essential to get this extensive scheme back on track.

"Our project team will be meeting later this week to arrange a suitable time to rearrange the next stage of the works."

Mr Buss said Network Rail was carrying out extensive re-signalling work at March which will see improved access into Whitemoor yard "and reduce trains dwelling in the vicinity of the residents' homes."

Currently trains cannot wait on the access curves to the distribution centre, instead they wait for access at near Whitemoor Junction. It can take 10 minutes for a train to clear the 250 metre curve.

New signals will allow more trains to use the yard: only two an hour can leave at present but this will rise to three. INFORMATION: The Bramley Line to Wisbech, curiously, is also to get a new colour signal, even though the line is severed from the network.