Media centre

Wednesday 3 Jan 2018

Fewer delays to train services between Cambridge and Peterborough following completion of bridge repairs in Manea

Region & Route:

Eastern: Anglia

| Eastern

A speed restriction has been lifted on the rail line at Manea in Cambridgeshire following completion of a £1.5m package of structural repairs to two bridges during the Christmas period.

Rotting timbers were replaced and steel work repairs were made at two railway bridges that carry the line between Ely and Manea which is used by over 170 trains every day.

A team of 30 Network Rail engineers worked the equivalent of 2,400 hours to replace 13 pairs of timbers and make steel work repairs to the bridges, which also included replacing sections of track.

Prior to the work taking place, a speed restriction was put in place to protect the bridges from further deterioration. This was removed upon completion of the work, allowing trains to travel at their normal speed, which means fewer delays and increased reliability for passengers travelling between Cambridge and Peterborough.

Meliha Duymaz, Network Rail’s route managing director for Anglia, said: “This work was an essential part of our Railway Upgrade Plan to enable the smooth and reliable operation of services in this area. We have now removed the speed restriction, which means fewer delays for passengers and increased reliability. I’d like to thank passengers for their patience while we carried out this work.”