17.06.20
Anglia rail route to see major improvement work
Network Rail have announced a huge set of improvement works across the region’s rail network today (June 16th) to improve reliability of train services for passengers.
The work will be carried out across regional and main lines and will focus on improving the number of trains on time and reducing delays due to problems such as signal failures, track and overhead wires faults.
Over the next six months, NR engineers will carry out the following pieces of work as part of the improvement package:
- Track renewal and re-signalling work on the Clacton on Sea branch line to improve reliability throughout Autumn this year
- Renew track near Elmswell on the Ipswich to Bury St Edmunds line from July to September to maintain safety and improve reliability
- Renew track at Colchester and Needham Market on the Norwich to London mainline in the Autumn to maintain safety and improve reliability
- Renew track at Somerleyton to maintain safety and improve reliability
- Replace the overhead wires at Stratford to improve reliability, especially in hot weather. This work will take place at Christmas
- Transport for London (TfL) works to lengthen platforms 16 and 17 at Liverpool Street will begin over the Christmas period to make more platforms available for the new, longer Elizabeth line trains
- Network Rail works for the Crossrail programme will continue with station upgrades taking place at Ilford and Romford this autumn. Details on any further line closures will be shared as soon as the plan is finalised.
Network Rail’s route director for Anglia, Ellie Burrows, said: “I know passengers want to see improvements to the rail network in Anglia, and we’ve planned in a package of work to do just that. We have tried to minimise the impact on journeys by grouping projects together where we can but this amount of work simply cannot be carried out without some closures.
“I also know that passengers like to know about how their journeys are going to be affected in good time, and that’s why we’ve announced this package of works scheduled for the next six months, which should help people to plan ahead more easily. While the government advice is still to only use public transport if absolutely necessary, I hope this information will be crucial as and when restrictions are lifted.”
Images: Network Rail