Network Rail has announced an essential overhaul of the infrastructure at Stowmarket station, marking an important step in modernising this high-speed section of the main line. The project, scheduled to begin this early autumn, will focus on replacing nine sets of 40-year-old points on either side of the station.
Points, crucial for the railway's reliability, are movable sections of track that allow trains to switch from one line to another. The initiative at Stowmarket includes replacing the old wooden sleepers with contemporary concrete sleepers and a complete revamping of the rails and the equipment that facilitates the points' movement.
Once these updates are in place, the newly installed points will minimise the risk of faults that could lead to delays, offering a significantly improved lifespan of up to 50 years.
The urgency of these improvements is emphasised by Stowmarket's role in Network Rail's operations. It is a critical storage location for specialist trains used to clear fallen leaves from the tracks in the autumn. Any malfunction in the points could hinder these trains from reaching their destination, leading to potential regional delays.
In addition to the central project at Stowmarket, engineers will utilise this time to conduct additional enhancements, such as replacing worn-out rails at the nearby Needham Market.
The schedule for the work is as follows:
Weekends of 2-3, 9-10, 16-17, 23-24, 30 September and 1 October
Weekend of 4-5 November
During these weekends, passengers between Ipswich and Norwich and between Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds on the Ipswich – Cambridge/Peterborough line should anticipate replacement bus services.
Train service is expected to resume after 19:15hrs on two specific dates: Sunday, 1 October and Sunday, 5 November.
Passengers can find full details and plan their journeys through the official websites greateranglia.co.uk or nationalrail.co.uk. The revamp promises to set the stage for a more reliable and resilient rail network, aligning with the highest safety and efficiency standards for decades to come.
Further engineering work will take place on the London – Norwich main line later in the year as work continues to build the new station at Beaulieu Park. Passengers should always check before they travel for the most up-to-date information.
Full-size bicycles and e-scooters cannot be carried on rail replacement buses.
Mark Walker, Network Rail Anglia route infrastructure engineer, said: “This is a major job that needs doing to keep the railway running safely and reliably, not just between Ipswich and Norwich, but on the whole of the main line to London and on other routes too. We're sorry for the disruption this will cause to passengers but it's really important we swap these 40-year-old points for up-to-date equipment.”
Jamie Burles, Greater Anglia managing director, said: “This work is extremely important to help maintain the safe and reliable running of the railway – we would like to thank customers for their patience and understanding while it is carried out.
Perhaps Stowmarket could have a bay platform so that Greater Anglia can operate 1tp2h service from London Liverpool Street to Stowmarket. And maybe a Stowmarket-Ipswich shuttle service using Class 755 Bi-mode.