Weekend Track Renewal
At the end of the month Network Rail will begin a programme of works on the southern section of the East Suffolk Line that will see a 2200 metre section of track renewed to improve reliability and provide a smoother ride.
The work will take place over three successive weekends as part of a wider project involving track renewal along the line.
Engineering work taking place between Westerfield and Saxmundham will see the renewal of almost 4.5 kilometres of old jointed rail; the old rail is responsible for the clickety-clack sound when trains pass over it. It’s being replaced with continuously welded rail; this will give a much smoother and quieter ride and cause less wear and tear on the trains’ wheels.
The renewed track will also help to reduce the amount of maintenance required to help keep it in working order; it will also facilitate future freight traffic and the delivery of construction materials to the Sizewell C nuclear power plant project at Leiston.
More than 3400 new concrete sleepers and over 7000 tonnes of ballast together will be used and new decks will be installed at three-foot crossings at Stennetts No.2, Playford Road and Lox Farm.
The track work will affect Greater Anglia train services on the following weekends:
- Saturday 30 November and Sunday 1 December
- Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 December
- Sunday 15 December
Buses replace trains Ipswich – Saxmundham
On the above days, buses will replace trains between Ipswich and Saxmundham and will connect with trains that will continue to operate between Saxmundham and Lowestoft.
Mark Walker, Network Rail’s route infrastructure engineer for Anglia said: “We’re continuing our work to replace the old jointed-track on the East Suffolk line with new rail, that will benefit passengers and our freight customers.
“Of course, doing this work safely means we have to close a section of the line for a few weekends to remove the old track and deliver the materials required to complete the job. I want to thank everyone for their patience while we carry out this important work.”
Martin Beable, Greater Anglia managing director, said: “This engineering work is essential to keep the railway running and make it fit for the future.
“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.”