Vital Upgrades in August between Ipswich and Halesworth

14 July, 2025

Passengers travelling between Ipswich and Halesworth are advised to check before travelling as essential railway works will affect train services across three weekends in August.

Network Rail teams will be carrying out a range of critical maintenance and upgrade work to help keep trains running safely and reliably. This includes:

  • Strengthening two railway bridges over the Rivers Alde and Deben to continue to maintain the structures and support the reliability of train services.
  • Track maintenance between Wickham Market and Saxmundham to maintain reliability to run an efficient train services for passengers.
  • Remove redundant materials and equipment, and early site preparation at Bealings and Woodbridge ahead of future track renewal work planned later this year.
  • Follow up track work at Darsham level crossing.

This work is vital to maintain a reliable train service on the East Suffolk line and provide smoother journeys for passengers in the longer term. This work will also facilitate future freight traffic delivering materials to the Sizewell C project.

To allow engineers safe access to the track, trains will be replaced by buses between Ipswich and Halesworth on the following dates:

  • Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 August
  • Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 August
  • Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 August

Trains will continue to operate between Halesworth and Lowestoft..

Simon Milburn, infrastructure director for Network Rail Anglia, said:
“We’re delivering essential upgrades along the East Suffolk Line to improve reliability and futureproof the route for years to come. From bridge strengthening to preparing for major renewals and supporting the Sizewell C project, this is a vital investment in our infrastructure. Thank you to passengers and communities for bearing with us while this work is carried out.”

Martin Beable, Greater Anglia managing director, said:

“These works are essential to keep the railway running and make it fit for the future.

“A rail replacement service will run while Network Rail carry out these projects, and passengers are advised to check before they travel and allow more time for their journey.

“We would like to thank customers for their patience and understanding while this work is carried out.”

Separately to the work being delivered above, Sizewell’s contractor, Balfour Beatty will be continuing to deliver track and infrastructure upgrades to the Saxmundham–Sizewell branch line during this time, to support the construction of the new Sizewell C nuclear power station.

Residents living within 500 metres of the railway can now sign up to Network Rail’s new email alert service for updates on planned work and maintenance in their area. Visit: networkrail.co.uk/railworknearme