Starting next week, work on three level crossings on the East Suffolk line will be carried out by Network Rail.
The upgrades will improve safety at the crossings, and the first part of the work will take place on weeknights up to Christmas, with the line remaining open throughout.
The three level crossings to be upgraded are at
- Haywards (on Tide Mill Way)
- Ferry Lane
- Jetty Avenue (on Jetty Lane)
After the development of the local areas, these crossings are now seeing more heavy use. The alarms at Haywards and Ferry Lane crossings will be reduced from 70 to 20 seconds helping to reduce noise pollution. Various pieces of equipment will be upgraded or replaced, including the installation of new equipment which can detect obstructions on the level crossing.
Other work to be carried out includes new cabling, installation of axle counters, and new crossing decks at Ferry Lane and Haywards.
Work will continue in the new year up to the 4th April, and the line may be closed for some of this work to be carried out. Network Rail will release further details of any closures nearer the time.
Ellie Burrows, Network Rail's route director for Anglia, said: “Our main priority is to keep our railway running safely for everyone and as communities grow upgrades like this are essential in doing just that. It's safer for our engineers to work when trains aren't running, which is why much of the work will be carried out overnight, and we have plans and methods in place to minimise noise levels.”
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Why not upgrade the Felixstowe branch line to double track between Westerfield and Port of Felixstowe so it can allow freight trains to operate as well Greater Anglia Class 755s working the Ipswich-Felixstowe service. And also to upgrade the Kennett-Ely line to double track with a new Soham station to be built and to have 2 platforms instead of 1. To keep the freight and passenger rail traffic moving
At least the East Suffolk Line is still getting the upgrades it needs as its such a busy line from Ipswich to Lowestoft and Felixstowe.