Major Track Renewals
Major Track Renewals for the East Suffolk Lines
At the end of this month Network Rail will begin a major project that will result in a smoother ride and more reliable service for East Suffolk Lines passengers.
The line will be closed for nine days beginning Saturday 29th July through Sunday 06th August between Ipswich and Halesworth to allow some 1500 Network Rail engineers to replace 4.9 miles of track. The project is part of Network Rail’s ‘Railway Upgrade Plan’ which will also see tracks replaced on the Felixstowe Line resulting in closures over two weekends (29th and 30th July, along with 5th and 6th August: see specifics below) between Ipswich and Felixstowe.
Train operator Greater Anglia will provide a replacement bus service during the closures. Between Ipswich and Saxmundham two buses will run: a semi—fast service departing Ipswich calling at Saxmundham, Darsham, and Halesworth, along with a stopping service which will take passengers to Woodbridge, Melton, Wickham Market, and Saxmundham.
On the Felixstowe Line the bus from Ipswich will call at Derby Road, Trimley, and Felixstowe.
The replacement buses won’t call at Westerfield; passengers at Westerfield should use the station Help Point to contact Greater Anglia about onward travel.
Simon Ancona, Chief Operating Officer for Network Rail Anglia said: “This work will improve reliability and keep services running smoothly as part of our Railway Upgrade Plan. I understand the inconvenience of the closure, but this amount of work can only be completed when the line isn’t in use. We’ve planned the work over a nine-day period rather than a series of weekend closures so it can be completed more quickly and is more cost effective for the taxpayer.”
Jamie Burles, Managing Director of Greater Anglia, said “We will make sure that customers are able to complete their journeys during the works. We have a full and comprehensive rail replacement bus service planned and staff on hand to make sure people transfer from bus to train without a problem.”
Specific details and revised timetables can be found here