Upgrades to rail lines between Ely to Ipswich and Norwich in August

Important work on signals is planned across August and September to make signals and points more reliable and reduce the chance of delays.

The planned work will be carried out between Ipswich and Ely on the 7th of August, and is meant to then take place every weekend up until the 10th and 11th of September.

Alongside the signal work, some track work will occur at Elmswell level crossing.

The work is part of the Cambridge re-signalling programme, which aims to provide state-of-the-art signalling to the railway.

After the first section of work is complete, further work will take place from 10th and 11th September to the 25th September between Norwich and Peterborough.

Passengers are being advised to check before they travel as a rail replacement bus service will be in place.

People travelling to Newmarket Races on Saturday 13 and Saturday 27 August from Ipswich will need to catch a bus to Cambridge and then catch a shuttle train between Cambridge and Newmarket.

Passengers can check changes at www.nationalrail.co.uk

Ellie Burrows, Network Rail's route director for Anglia, said: “These works are important to keep services running safely and reliably on these lines. We will also carry out work as part of the Cambridge resignalling project, which is crucial to provide a signalling system fit for a modern railway in the Cambridge area and to improve the reliability and performance of the railway for future passengers in the decades to come.”

Jamie Burles, Greater Anglia managing director, said: “We're very sorry for the inconvenience these works cause our customers, but we will make sure you can complete your journeys, even if part of it is by bus. These works will improve reliability on this line, and in combination with our new trains is transforming the railway in our region.”