Busy road near East Midlands Airport to close for months

Passengers travelling to East Midlands Aiport [1] may face disruption in the coming months due to a major project by Network Rail [2]. The Government-owned body [3] is expected to begin major reconstruction work at a bridge near East Midlands Airport - which is set to cause disruption to services for around 12 months. Work at Kirk Hill bridge in Sutton Bonington is set to begin on Saturday, September 27, when the A6006 Rempstone Road will have a single-lane closure and traffic lights in place [4].

A full road closure - on both approaches to the bridge - will be needed from Monday, October 6, until July 2026, with a diversion in place. The project will see the structure demolished and replaced with a new bridge which Network Rail says offers a range of benefits. These include:

Removing the risk of a speed restriction owing to track quality.

The bridge removal means the tamping machine can run through the area, compacting the ballast beneath railway sleepers to keep the line straight and provide a stable and smooth ride.
Providing enough space for freight trains on this section of the railway - lowering freight journey times and helping to reduce congestion by taking lorries off the road.
Giving enough space between trains and the bridge for additional equipment, should the Midland Main Line electrification project be reinstated.

The demolition of the existing bridge will take place on Christmas [5] Day, which has been planned so as not to disrupt passengers, as trains do not run in the area on Christmas Day or Boxing Day [6]. The new bridge construction is planned to begin in mid-February 2026 and is expected to take about four weeks. This work will be done entirely during overnight weekend shifts - meaning minimal disruption for passengers.

From mid-March 2026 to the project's target completion date in September 2026, Network Rail will also be carrying out parapet installation, bridge deck and abutment work, meeting highway and utility requirements, and taking down the temporary work compound to reinstate the site. Katie Oliver, Network Rail lead portfolio manager, said: "This upgrade at Kirk Hill bridge will help future-proof the railway in Sutton Bonington, improving reliability for passengers and supporting freight growth. We've planned the work carefully to minimise disruption, and we're grateful to the local community for their patience while we deliver these improvements."

The following roads will be closed from Monday, October 6 until Friday, July 17:

Landcroft Lane, Sutton Bonington (east of the University of Nottingham site for about a quarter of a mile)
Hungary Lane, Sutton Bonington (junction with Main Street, near the rail bridge)
Butt Lane, Sutton Bonington (both sides of the rail bridge)
Brickyard Lane, Normanton on Soar (junction of Brickyard Lane and Travell's Hill)
Dark Lane, West Leake (junction of Dark Lane and Main Street)

References

^ East Midlands Aiport (www.nottinghampost.com)
^ Network Rail (www.nottinghampost.com)
^ Government-owned body (www.nottinghampost.com)
^ single-lane closure and traffic lights in place (www.nottinghampost.com)
^ Christmas (www.nottinghampost.com)
^ Christmas Day or Boxing Day (www.nottinghampost.com)