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Wednesday 8 Oct 2003

ESSENTIAL RAILWAY WORK CLOSES CLAYDON LEVEL CROSSING

Region & Route:

| Eastern: Anglia

| Eastern

| Southern

Network Rail will be carrying out essential maintenance work to Claydon level crossing on Gipping Road between Blakenham and Claydon.  As a result the crossing will be closed from Sunday 12 October to Sunday 19 October inclusive. A road diversion for motor vehicles will be signposted via Bramford Road and the A14. Pedestrians can cross the railway via Chapel Lane or use a complimentary taxi service, which will be in place between 07.00 and 21.00 during the road closure.             It is essential that the level crossing is closed during the work as trains on this stretch of track travel up to 100mph.  It takes trains over a mile to come to a full stop.  Therefore any work must be carefully planned with safety as the top priority.             On Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 October buses will replace trains between Ipswich and Norwich.  This will enable railway employees to erect safety fencing to create a safe area to work in. Over the weekends and during the week the crossing barriers and warning lights will be replaced and a footpath constructed on the north side of the crossing.  Buses will again replace trains on Sunday 19 October while the signalling and crossing equipment is tested. - more - Claydon – 2 Mark Phillips Network Rail, Regional Director said: “Safety is Network Rail’s top priority, therefore we are having to close the road and railway at certain times during this work.  We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause, but it will enable us to install a safe and reliable crossing system.” Claydon level crossing is controlled by CCTV camera from Stowmarket signalbox.  For train service information contact National Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50 or visit www.angliarailways.co.uk