Network Rail has announced major work across Anglia’s rail network to improve the reliability of train services for passengers
The work will take place on regional and main lines and will focus on improving the number of trains on time and reducing delays because of problems such as signal failures, track and overhead wires faults.
Over the next six months, Network Rail’s engineers will carry out major work across Anglia as part of the improvement package.
Works include:
- Track renewal and resignalling work on the Clacton on Sea branch line to improve reliability throughout Autumn this year
- Renew track near Elmswell on the Ipswich to Bury St Edmunds line from July to September to maintain safety and improve reliability
- Renew track at Colchester and Needham Market on the Norwich to London mainline in the Autumn to maintain safety and improve reliability
- Renew track at Somerleyton to maintain safety and improve reliability
- Replace the overhead wires at Stratford to improve reliability, especially in hot weather. This work will take place at Christmas.
Improvements to Anglia rail network
Ellie Burrows, Network Rail’s route director for Anglia, said: “I know passengers want to see improvements to the rail network in Anglia, and we’ve planned in a package of work to do just that.
“We have tried to minimise the impact on journeys by grouping projects together where we can but this amount of work simply cannot be carried out without some closures.
“I also know that passengers like to know about how their journeys are going to be affected in good time, and that’s why we’ve announced this package of works scheduled for the next six months, which should help people to plan ahead more easily.
“While the government advice is still to only use public transport if absolutely necessary, I hope this information will be crucial as and when restrictions are lifted.”
Jamie Burles, Greater Anglia managing director, added: “It is important that Network Rail carries out this work to make our railway more reliable. We will make sure that passengers can always complete their journeys, even if part of it is by rail replacement bus.
“We will keep passengers updated about alternative travel arrangements through our website and the Greater Anglia app.
“We would remind customers to wear face coverings if they have to travel on all forms of public transport including our trains and rail replacement buses.”
