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Wednesday 6 Nov 2019

Greater Anglia passengers reminded to check before travelling on the Wherry lines in February 2020

Region & Route:

Eastern: Anglia

Greater Anglia passengers using the Wherry lines between Norwich and Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft in February 2020 are reminded to check before travelling as significant works will be taking place over 23 days to introduce a new computer-controlled signalling system. 

During the phased 23 days of works, the new signals will be switched on and six level crossings at Brundall, Cantley, Lingwood Chapel Road, Lingwood Station Road, Oulton Broad North and Strumpshaw will be upgraded to full barriers with remotely controlled CCTV which will improve safety for level crossing users.

Engineers will carry out this work over 23 days during three phases that start on Saturday 1 February 2020.  This work will affect passenger services on the following routes:

• Saturday 1 February to Sunday 2 February – between Norwich and Great Yarmouth
• Monday 3 February to Sunday 16 February – between Norwich and Great Yarmouth, Norwich and Lowestoft and between Beccles and Lowestoft
• Monday 17 February to Sunday 23 February – between Norwich and Lowestoft

We strongly advise passengers wishing to travel across these routes in February 2020 to plan ahead and check their service with Greater Anglia before travelling on www.greateranglia.co.uk/nylfeb20

To make the most of the time we have in February, we have also brought forward planned repairs and renewals work to coincide with the closure. This includes a full bridge replacement at Postwick and track renewals at Lowestoft, Acle and Hassingham. Additional maintenance works will be carried out to Reedham and Somerleyton swing bridges.

To prepare for the February works, we’re planning to use the weekend of 11 and 12 January 2020 to undertake preparation works at Strumpshaw and Lingwood crossings (Station Road only) as well as moving equipment and materials into position. The Wherry lines between Norwich and Yarmouth/Lowestoft will be closed during this weekend with a replacement bus services provided.

 Mark Budden, Network Rail’s route director for Anglia, said:

“We will deliver a significant package of works across the Wherry lines during a three-week period in February 2020 and see services reintroduced between Reedham and Yarmouth via Berney Arms”

“I know that not having a train service over 23 days will be difficult for passengers and I’m sorry for the inconvenience this will cause, however, completing these large-scale projects and planned maintenance works in one coordinated effort, will help reduce the overall amount of disruption in future.”

Jamie Burles, Greater Anglia managing director, said: ”We are sorry to customers for the inconvenience that this engineering work causes them, but we will make sure they can still complete their journeys, even if some of it is by bus.

“By carrying out the work in a 23-day block, Network Rail is able to complete the work sooner and quicker with fewer weekend works.

“Along with Network Rail, we are transforming the railway in Norfolk, and this major upgrade, combined with our new trains, is bringing it into the 21^st century.”

 A bus replacement service will be in place to allow passengers to continue their journey. We advise anyone wishing to travel across these routes in February 2020 to plan ahead and check their service with Greater Anglia or national rail enquiries before travelling.  

The work will see train services resume on the branch line between Reedham and Lowestoft (serving Berney Arms station), which has been closed since October 2018.