Over the last 12 months, Network Rail has replaced 36 miles (58 kilometres) of track across the rail network to curtail delays for commuters in Cambridge, Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex.
In the last year, Network Rail has restored tracks at the following locations:
- Between Stansted and Broxbourne on the West Anglia Main Line
- At Littleport between Ely and Kings Lynn
- At Harwich on the Harwich branch line
- Between Norwich and Ipswich, at Colchester and at Maryland on the Great Eastern Main Line
- At Billericay on the Southend Victoria branch line
- At Somerleyton between Norwich and Lowestoft
- At Brampton on the East Suffolk Line
- Between Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds
Ellie Burrows, Network Rail’s route director for Anglia, said “we’re committed to improving the reliability of rail services for passengers in Anglia, and keeping the track in good condition is essential to keep trains running on time around the region.”
She added, “throughout the last 12 months we have delivered a huge amount of track renewal work, despite the challenges of the pandemic, to drive down delays and deliver a more reliable service across the network.”
Several crossing units and 38 switches have also been replaced, alongside the large pieces of track that let trains move from one track to the other. If there are ever any issues, these are crucial components which allow trains to be diverted, driving down the number of delays.
Additionally, 20 level crossings have also been restored- this includes the renewal of the rail and the level crossing deck - to sustain reliability and safety of both rail and road users, and pedestrians.
Jamie Burles, Greater Anglia Managing Director, said “over the past year, punctuality across our network has been at an all-time high, with almost 95% of trains running on time.”
"There are several contributing factors, including the positive impact of our new trains, but another key factor has been the ongoing programme of rail infrastructure improvements being delivered by Network Rail, which have been carried out under very difficult conditions as the country weathered the pandemic.”
He continued, "we know how important it is to our customers that our trains run on time, which is why we started a concerted punctuality drive jointly with Network Rail in 2018, focusing on all areas of railway operations, to improve the reliability and punctuality of our service. We’re really pleased that our joint efforts are succeeding and we are working hard to maintain these good results as people return to the railway.”
