Media centre

Tuesday 23 Mar 2004

INVESTING IN NORFOLK’S RAILWAY

Region & Route:

| Southern

Network Rail is investing over £1.1 million to improve the track between Attleborough and Spooner Row.  As part of Network Rail’s commitment to rebuild the railway, engineers will work around-the-clock this weekend to renew 2,758 yards of track. Continuously welded rail with steel sleepers will replace jointed track attached to wooden sleepers.  In total 3,000 tonnes of ballast, 3,861 sleepers and 5,044 metres of rail weighing 302 tonnes will be used.  Passengers can expect a smoother, quieter and more reliable journey.   The distance of rail we are installing is equivalent to the height of 16 Eiffel Towers!! Work will start on Saturday 27 March shortly after midnight and finish at 05.35 on Monday 29 March.  Buses will replace trains between Norwich and Thetford on Saturday and Sunday. Jon Wiseman, Network Rail General Manager said:  “Network Rail is committed to rebuilding the railway and proactively managing our assets. Our front line staff are targeting parts of the infrastructure and improving them to ensure that speed restrictions are not put on and other delays do not occur.” 80 railway employees over four shifts will be working to lay the track, by hand.  The sleepers have already been delivered to site whilst ballast trains and road railing machines will be brought in over the weekend with other materials. - more - Spooner – 2 Between Monday 29 March and Friday 2 April trains will run at a reduced speed of 50mph to enable the new track and its components time to settle.  After that,  line speed of 75mph will be reinstated. For further information about passenger services during the work, contact National Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50 or consult Anglia’s website, www.angliarailways.co.uk.