Media centre

Tuesday 18 Jul 2006

A MOUNTAIN OF WORK TO DELIVER A SMOOTHER, QUIETER RIDE FOR SUDBURY LINE (AND HELP SOME BADGERS ALONG THE WAY!)

Region & Route:

Eastern: Anglia

| Eastern

Enough new track to reach the top of Mount Everest is to be laid between Sudbury and Marks Tey stations from Sunday 23 July as Network Rail starts work on a £5.5 million scheme to upgrade the railway. More than 9,000 yards of old jointed track, which causes trains to make their familiar ‘clickety-clack’ sound will be replaced by modern ‘unjointed’ track which is quieter for people living nearby, and offers passengers a smoother and more reliable journey. Network Rail Route Director Jon Wiseman said: “Most of the track on this line has been in place for many years and needs to be replaced. The new track we are putting in place will create less disturbance for local people and give passengers a smoother, quieter ride. Our engineers will be working around the clock to carry out this essential work and help secure the future of this important line.” The line between Sudbury and Marks Tey will be closed from Sunday 23 July to Sunday 6 August to allow the massive project to take place. Train operators ‘one’ has worked closely to miminse disruption to passengers and will run a bus replacement service between Sudbury and Marks Tey while the work is carried out. Mainline Business Director for 'one', Andrew Goodrum said: "We welcome this investment by Network Rail which will lead to a more reliable service for passengers. A full bus replacement service will be in place while the work takes place and we will be making every effort to ensure that any inconvenience to our customers is kept to an absolute minimum." The work will also be good news for local badgers. During early planning stages, the project team discovered a number of badger setts throughout the work site. A licensed badger company has been brought on-board to offer expert advice. Extensive precautionary measures will now be put in place to protect these furry friends, including the timings of work, site boundaries and type of equipment used. Jon Wiseman added: “Protecting the environment is an important part of our work to rebuild the railway. Many railway lines in this part of the country run through rural areas which are home to a wide variety of wildlife. We have developed careful working practices with English Nature and other wildlife groups to minimise any impact on the local environment.” Work on the Marks Tey – Sudbury line will be completed in the early hours of Monday 7 August when train services will resume.