Rail passengers between Ipswich, Ely and Cambridge will benefit from a more reliable service thanks to a programme of track renewals which start on 18th July.
Engineers will replace nearly four miles of track between Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds to improve reliability which will mean fewer delays and cancellations for passengers.
Tracks get worn out from constant use every day. Network Rail carries out inspections and repairs regularly but over time the track gets so worn that a full replacement is the only option to avoid temporary speed restrictions (TSRs) being put in place.
The work will take place on weekends from Saturday 18th July 2020 until Sunday 27th September with follow up work taking place on Sunday 4th October.
The work will affect train services between Stowmarket and Ely / Cambridge.
Ellie Burrows, Network Rail's route director for Anglia, said: “This work is a vital part of our maintenance programme to keep the track in top condition and reduce the number of delays and cancellations owing to track faults. This will improve reliability and maintain safety for our passengers.”
Travel information
| Line affected | Weekend Dates | Travel Information |
| Ipswich to Ely / Cambridge via Bury St Edmunds | Saturday 18 to Sunday 19 July | Bus replacement between Stowmarket and Ely, and Stowmarket and Cambridge North |
| Saturday 25 to Sunday 26 July | Bus replacement between Bury St Edmunds and Ely, and Bury St Edmunds and Cambridge North Sat and between Stowmarket and Ely, and Stowmarket and Cambridge North | |
| Saturday 1 to Sunday 2 August | Bus replacement between Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds | |
| Sunday 9 August | ||
| Sunday 16 August | Bus replacement between Ipswich and Ely, and Ipswich and Cambridge North | |
| Sunday 23 August | Bus replacement between Bury St Edmunds and Ely/ Cambridge North | |
| Sunday 30 August | Bus replacement between Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds | |
| Saturday 5 to Sunday 6 September | ||
| Saturday 12 to Sunday 13 September | Bus replacement between Ipswich and Stowmarket all day Sat. Bus replacement between Ipswich and Norwich/ Bury St Edmunds all day Sun | |
| Saturday 19 to Sunday 20 September | Bus between Ipswich and Norwich/ Bury St Edmunds all weekend | |
| Saturday 26 to Sunday 27 September | ||
| Sunday 4 October | ||
| Line affected | Weekend Dates | Travel Information |
| Norwich to London
(Ipswich to Needham Market) |
Sunday 30 August | Bus between Ipswich and Norwich/ Bury St Edmunds |
| Saturday 5 to Sunday 6 September | ||
| Saturday 12 to Sunday 13 September | Saturday: Bus replacement between Ipswich and Stowmarket all day.
Sunday: Bus replacement between Ipswich and Norwich/ Bury St Edmunds all day Sun |
|
| Saturday 19 to Sunday 20 September | Bus between Ipswich and Norwich/ Bury St Edmunds all weekend | |
| Saturday 26 to Sunday 27 September | ||
| Sunday 4 October |
Passengers should check National Rail Enquiries for the latest information.
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There was a plan to double the line from Soham to Ely, but this now seems to be on hold, along with the improvements to Ely North Junction….
I totally agree. The Ipswich to Cambridge and Ipswich to Ely Lines should be fully upgraded to double track with a new station at Soham to be built.
Network Rail should also upgrade the Ipswich-Cambridge line that is single track from Kennett to Dullingham and Cambridge to be upgraded to double track. And to upgrade the line from Kennett to Ely passing through Soham where a new railway station is to be built at Soham which could increase the capacity for freight trains travelling to/from Port of Felixstowe and Greater Anglia local trains operating on the Ipswich-Peterborough via Ely service. Which the new station should be completed and opened next year.