Passengers travelling on key rail routes across Suffolk and Norfolk are being urged to plan ahead as major engineering work takes place on selected weekends throughout September and October.
The programme of improvements will see railway engineers carrying out essential maintenance and renewal work on sections of the Great Eastern Main Line between Norwich and Ipswich, as well as the East Suffolk Line and the Felixstowe branch line.
The work has been carefully scheduled for weekends when trains are not running, allowing teams safe access to the railway. The upgrades are designed to improve long-term reliability, reduce infrastructure faults and help cut delays for passengers and freight services.
Among the key projects being delivered are:
- Improvements to a level crossing near Great Moulton in Norfolk, where engineers will replace track and upgrade the crossing surface to provide a smoother journey for both rail passengers and road users.
- The replacement of approximately 1.5km of ageing rail between Stowmarket and Diss, as well as south of Norwich. Some of the existing rail infrastructure is more than 50 years old and requires renewal to maintain reliable services.
- Extensive points maintenance around Ipswich station, including the replacement of ballast, sleepers and rails. Points are critical components of the railway, enabling trains to move from one track to another and playing a vital role in keeping services running efficiently.
During the planned engineering works, some train services will be suspended and replacement bus services will operate in place of Greater Anglia trains on affected routes.
Passengers are advised to check journey details before travelling via the Greater Anglia website.
Martin Beable, Chief Operating Officer for GBR Anglia, said:
“These works will help us to keep running a safe and reliable service on these busy routes for years to come.”
“Passengers should check before they travel on the affected weekends. We’re sorry for the disruption but we need access to the track to get these vital jobs done.”
GBR Anglia brings together c2c, Greater Anglia and Network Rail Anglia under a unified leadership structure as part of the transition towards Great British Railways. The move is helping to create a more integrated railway by improving collaboration, streamlining decision-making and delivering better outcomes for passengers and freight users alike.
Image credit: Network Rail
