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Wednesday 1 Apr 2026

East Suffolk line improvements continue in late May

Region & Route:

Eastern: Anglia

Investment in improving the East Suffolk line will continue this May with extensive renewals of ageing assets and vital maintenance to keep train services running reliably and safely across Suffolk.

The engineering work is part of a wider programme to repair, replace and renewal old track and signalling, to keep train services running reliably and safely for passengers travelling between Ipswich and Lowestoft. 

We’re also upgrading a number of level crossings to make them safer for all crossing users. All this work will also support Sizewell C’s transport strategy to move the majority of its future construction materials by rail and sea to the worksite. 

Engineering work will be taking place on the line for nine days from Saturday 23 May to Sunday 31 May. This work includes:

• Refurbishment of the track and points at Saxmundham Jct, to improve resilience of the track.
• Signalling upgrade work at Melton station level crossing to improve train detection technology to make crossing safer for pedestrians.
• Installation of miniature stop lights at Bealings level crossing and improved train detection technology. 
• Timber decking replacement at Beccles station.
• Installation of new signalling bases and equipment between Saxmundham station and Saxmundham Jct.
• Track maintenance between Westerfield junction and Woodbridge

Passengers travelling between Ipswich and Lowestoft are being encouraged to check their journey plans before travelling using nationalrail.co.uk, and to leave extra time to complete their journey.  

Melton station level crossing (A1152)

Melton station level crossing on the A1152 will also be temporarily closed to road traffic at times to complete the signalling improvements which includes improved train detection technology. As a busy traffic route, we're making arrangements to agree diversion routes with the highway authority. Information about these diversions will be issued once this has been agreed. 

Bealings level crossing 

From end of May, pedestrians using Bealings level crossing will benefit from new miniature stop lights at the pedestrian gates which will help those using the footpath to know when it is safe to cross the railway. 

Martin Beable, on behalf of Network Rail and Greater Anglia said: "The investment to improve the East Suffolk line is helping to provide a more reliable and safer railway for Suffolk passengers and in readiness for Sizewell C's main construction phase. 

"Closing the railway for an extended period does allow us to do much more work than if we kept to just weekends and nights, and we're using this time to do as much as we can. 

"Of course this doesn't come without causing some disruption for our customers and I want to thank everyone for their patience while we make these improvements."

Travel Information for Greater Anglia passengers

Saturday, 23 May 2026 to Sunday, 24 May 2026

Buses replace trains between Lowestoft and Ipswich. A separate shuttle bus will operate for customers travelling to and from Beccles, these customers will need to change bus at Halesworth.

Monday, 25 May 2026 to Sunday 31 May 2026

Buses replace trains between Halesworth and Ipswich. Trains will continue to operate between Lowestoft and Halesworth