UK-based Network Rail has commenced construction on a multi-million-pound land reinforcement work at Browney Curve in County Durham.

As part of the £33m project, Network Rail will strengthen more than 1km of land to protect the railway tracks on the East Coast Main Line, ensuring safe and reliable train services.

Network Rail has been monitoring Browney Curve, which is an active landslip, to determine whether it is experiencing any ground movement and ensure trains can continue to travel along the route safely.

In order to secure the land surrounding the railway line, major piling work is believed to serve as a permanent solution to maintain regular passenger services.

Work under the project will include the installation of reinforced concrete piles, expanding the embankment, enhancing drainage, and planting trees to mitigate the effects of severe rainfall.

The project is slated for completion late next year.

Network Rail lead portfolio manager Tom Grainger said: “The reinforcement work at Browney Curve is essential in continuing to deliver reliable journeys for our passengers on a more resilient railway. The work has been carefully planned to avoid disruption to passengers using the East Coast Main Line.

“This is a really big and complex piece of work, but we’re excited to deliver improvements to the railway for our customers.”