Passengers are back on the move after a significant nine-day programme of railway upgrades at Saxmundham Junction was completed on schedule, delivering a more reliable railway for both passengers and freight operators while strengthening future rail links to the Sizewell C construction site.
The project saw engineers working around the clock to modernise the critical junction where the Leiston branch line connects with the East Suffolk Line. The renewal included replacing the manually operated junction with a powered system, alongside the installation of modern railway equipment and wider signalling and infrastructure enhancements designed to improve operational flexibility and network performance.
The works were delivered safely and on time by Balfour Beatty on behalf of Sizewell C, working in close partnership with Network Rail and Atkins engineers across several locations. Train services operated by Greater Anglia resumed between Halesworth and Ipswich following the successful completion of the programme.
The investment represents another major milestone in the ongoing upgrade of Suffolk's rail network, supporting future freight movements linked to the construction of Sizewell C while providing long-term benefits for passengers travelling on the East Suffolk Line.
Joe Kennedy, infrastructure director for Network Rail Anglia, said:
"The renewed Saxmundham junction will help provide a more reliable railway for passengers and freight customers, while also supporting future rail freight services that will help reduce the number of lorries needed on local roads during the construction of Sizewell C.
"I know that closing the railway can be inconvenient, and we're grateful to everyone for their patience and understanding while engineers worked to deliver these improvements safely and as efficiently as possible. I would like to thank customers for their patience while we carried out this important investment in the East Suffolk line."
The upgraded junction is expected to play an increasingly important role as rail freight volumes grow in support of the new nuclear power station project. Improving rail connectivity forms a key part of wider efforts to reduce road traffic associated with major infrastructure construction.
Damian Leydon, Site Delivery Director at Sizewell C, said:
"We’ve made significant progress on East Suffolk’s rail infrastructure this year, and I’m delighted these latest improvements have been completed on schedule.”
“It’s a real credit to the dedication and expertise of our contractors and delivery partners.”
“These upgrades will not only support the construction of Sizewell C but also deliver lasting benefits for local communities, helping to improve reliability and resilience for passenger services.
“Transporting materials by rail is a key part of our commitment to move 60% of bulk materials by rail or sea. Each train carries the equivalent load of up to 50 HGVs, and by the end of the year up to four trains a day will be serving our project, preventing thousands of HGV movements on East Suffolk’s roads every year."
Sizewell C has committed to transporting 60% of bulk construction materials by rail or sea, with rail freight expected to play a crucial role in reducing congestion on local roads. The newly upgraded Saxmundham Junction will provide the operational capability needed to support those ambitions while enhancing reliability across the wider East Suffolk rail network.
Image credit: Network Rail
