Major track upgrades to cause railway disruption between Ipswich …
Passengers hoping to catch a train between Ipswich and Norwich this autumn may have to rethink their plans as track upgrades are set to cause cancellations and delays this autumn. Network Rail will be replacing nine sets of 40-year-old points either side of Stowmarket station, which they say will make this part of the main line “fit for the future”.
Points are moveable sections of track that allow trains to move from one line to another. Currently, there are wooden sleepers under the points near Stowmarket which will be upgraded to modern concrete sleepers.
The rails will also be replaced as well as the equipment which allows the points to move. Once installed, Network Rail say that the likelihood of faults will be reduced and that the upgrades will last for 50 years.
Engineers will also be taking the opportunity to carry out other improvements at the same time on worn out rails at Needham Market.
Work will take place over the following weekends:
- Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 September
- Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 September
- Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 September
- Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 September
- Saturday 30 September and Sunday 1 October
- Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 November
During these weekends, buses will replace trains between Ipswich and Norwich. Buses will also replace trains between Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds on the Ipswich – Cambridge/Peterborough line. On Sunday, October 1 and Sunday, November 5 only, the train service is scheduled to resume after 7.15pm.
Mark Walker, Network Rail Anglia route infrastructure engineer, said: “This is a major job that really 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. A rail replacement service will run while the work takes place and passengers are advised to check before they travel and allow more time for their journey.”
More weekend engineering work will be taking place on the London – Norwich main line later in the autumn and winter 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.
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