Network Rail will carry out the renewal of signalling systems north of Cambridge alongside completing further important maintenance work which will ensure the reliability of the railway and its infrastructure and will take place over the Easter period.
Passengers who are making journeys either to or from Peterborough, Kings Lynn, Norwich and Bury St Edmunds via Cambridge are advised to check prior to travelling from Good Friday on the 7th of April through to and including Easter Monday on the 10th of April.
In order to keep passengers on the move, rail replacement buses will replace trains as follows:
- Between Ely, Bury St Edmunds and Cambridge from Good Friday the 7th to and including Easter Monday 10th of April
- Between Norwich and Cambridge North and Bury St Edmunds and Peterborough on Sunday the 9th of April.
- Between Thetford and Cambridge North and between Bury St Edmunds and Peterborough on Easter Monday the 10th of April.
The majority of the rail network will be open as usual, however, some early and late services may be curtailed in order for extended overnight maintenance to be completed.
Passengers using the following train operators are advised to check their travel plans either via their train operator or via http://nationalrail.co.uk leaving plenty of extra time to make their journey:
- Greater Anglia
- Great Northern
- Thameslink
- Cross Country
- East Midlands Railway
Katie Frost Network Rail's route director for Anglia said: “This year, most of the network will be available for passengers to enjoy days out by rail throughout the Easter holidays.
“However, those planning to travel via Ely and Cambridge should check how their journey might be affected by the works. I'd like to thank passengers for their patience while we carry out this important work to renew the signalling systems and general track maintenance work to improve reliability on this busy mainline.”
Jamie Burles, Greater Anglia Managing Director, said: “People can visit many great destinations by rail this Easter break.
“Nevertheless, there will still be some maintenance and upgrade schemes taking place. These essential works will help improve rail travel in the region and we would like to thank customers for their patience and understanding while the improvements are being undertaken. Rail replacement buses will operate so customers can complete their journeys. Customers are advised to check before they travel and allow more time for their journeys.”
Greater Anglia wishes to notify passengers that full-sized bicycles and e-scooters can not be carried on rail replacement buses.
Jenny Saunders, Customer Services Director for Thameslink and Great Northern, said: “We also thank passengers for their patience. Journeys will take longer than normal, with replacement buses connecting Cambridge and Ely while Network Rail carry out this vital work, so please plan in advance and check times before you set off.”
May will also bring some disruption for passengers travelling to or from Cambridge via Audley End and Meldreth during the early and late May bank holidays due to planned engineering work for the Cambridge re-signalling project and also preparation work for Cambridge South station. During the May bank Holiday weekends, the engineering work taking place will impact Greater Anglia, Great Northern, Thameslink and Cross Country services.
Maybe Network Rail should start construction of a new railway station south of Cambridge that would serve Addenbrooks Hospital and Papworth Hospital. With park & ride facility.