Network Rail will be carrying out important track and embankment work on the Ipswich-Lowestoft line starting in December and continuing into the new year.
The strengthening work will increase reliability in the long run. However, while the work is carried out, rail replacement buses will be in place on part of the route.
Some of the track which is planned to be replaced was laid nearly a 100 years ago so is much need of an upgrade.
The track will be replaced by a new rail which will be continuously welded, reducing the noise caused by the trains ‘clickety' noise.
Alongside the track work, Network Rail will be improving the surfaces at level crossings around Woodbridge.
Buses will replace trains between Ipswich and Saxmundham on the following weekends:
- Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 December
- Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 December
- Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 January
- Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 January
- Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 January
- Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 January
- Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 February
- Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 February
Work is planned to continue later in spring when buses will replace trains between Ipswich and Saxmundham for 13 consecutive days: Saturday 25 March to Thursday 6 April. During this time, embankment work will be carried out on a section of the line southwest of Woodbridge.
Passengers are advised to check before they travel at www.greateranglia.co.uk or www.nationalrail.co.uk
Ellie Burrows, Network Rail's route director for Anglia, said: “It is hugely important that we replace this old track and strengthen the embankment so that we can safely run trains along the East Suffolk Line for years to come. This is a major package of works that will regrettably mean some disruption. I'd like to thank Greater Anglia passengers and the local community for bearing with us while we upgrade their railway and drive down delays.”
Jamie Burles, Greater Anglia managing director, said: “This improvement work will help make services even more punctual along the East Suffolk Line. Our new trains are running on these routes and this engineering work will help modernise the line and provide a more comfortable journey for passengers as well as making the railway a better neighbour for the local community.
“A rail replacement bus service will run while the work takes place, so customers can complete their journeys. We would like to thank customers for their patience while this work is carried out.”
Why not upgrade the Soham line to become double track from Soham to Ely with a 2nd platform being built at Soham in Cambridgeshire.