Network Rail has announced various engineering projects which will take place at weekends across Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.
During May and June, track work will be taking place on the Great Eastern Main Line between Norwich and Ipswich.
The includes renewal of track north of Trowse swing bridge, replacing rail at Tharston, and renewal of track, ballast and sleepers at Wassicks level crossing just north of Haughley junction.
While the work is carried out, buses will be replacing trains between Norwich and Ipswich on the following weekends:-
- Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 May
- Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 May
- Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 June
- Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 June
- Sunday 27 June
In addition, on the line between Ely and Norwich, and on the line between Ely and Peterborough, work will take place to replace wheel timbers which are used to hold the track in place.
For this work to be completed, buses will run between Norwich and Ely and between Bury St Edmunds and Peterborough on the following weekends:
- Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 May
- Sunday 30 May
- Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 June
- Sunday 20 June
Finally, on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 May, work will take place on the Wherry Lines signalling system between Norwich, Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth, along with maintenance work on the Oulton Broad swing bridge.
Buses will be replacing trains between Norwich and Great Yarmouth and between Norwich and Lowestoft all weekend of the Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 May
Ellie Burrows, Network Rail's route director for Anglia, said: “Track wears out faster on the busy main lines and that's why we carry out a regular programme of replacement across the network. Renewing the tracks helps to prevent faults that lead to speed restrictions and cancellations, meaning our passengers can get to where they need to be without delays.
“I'd like to thank passengers for their patience while we carry out this work.”
Jamie Burles, Greater Anglia Managing Director, said: “This track work will help to improve punctuality and performance along these busy parts of our network.
“We will be running a rail replacement bus service while the work takes place, so customers will be able to complete their journeys. Passengers should check before they travel, allow more time for their journey and wear a face covering when travelling by train or rail replacement bus and at our stations. Greater Anglia has several measures in place to keep customers safe, from regular cleaning and sanitisation of trains and stations, to high levels of face covering compliance.
“We would like to thank customers for their patience while this work takes place.”
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And continuing on replacing ageing overhead wires at Stratford and at Prittlewell & Southend Victoria.
I’m sure the usual overcharging of fares will apply on GEML route as websites encourage bookings via Ely/Cambridge to avoid replacement buses (which makes the much cheaper GEML route advance fares unavailable.
Add a “via COL” to get the cheaper fare if you can accept the extra time and the uncertain social distancing experience of the replacement bus.
Norwich to London/Stratford coaches also restart from May 17 for another alternative although the coach station in Norwich is quite a walk from train station if connecting from a train into Norwich.
Good to hear that the railway is moving out of the horse drawn era.
(Funny typo: “removal of tack” near Trowse bridge