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Thursday 16 Oct 2025

Job done: boost for long-term reliability on London – Norwich line and Harwich branch

Region & Route:

Eastern: Anglia

Network Rail has completed vital bridge works near Manningtree and replaced key overhead line infrastructure to help keep trains running safely and reliably for decades to come.

Over four weekends in September, engineers replaced a total of 66 old wheel timbers on the River Stour and Cattawade Creek bridges which carry the main line just outside Manningtree station. Wheel timbers are used to hold the rails in place across certain types of bridge and they gradually deteriorate over time. When wheel timbers are in a poor condition, there is a higher risk of track faults that could cause delays to passengers.

At the same time, engineers swapped out old overhead line parts for the latest and most reliable versions between Colchester and Manningtree. Trains on the busy Great Eastern main line rely on overhead lines for their power, so it’s essential that the equipment is kept in the best possible condition.

The same type of overhead line work took place on the Harwich branch line, along with the replacement of 17 overhead line support masts, which were decades-old and starting to lean to one side.

On Sunday 28 September, Network Rail also replaced a faulty section of track near Gidea Park station, which would otherwise have led to a disruptive speed restriction or even an unplanned and prolonged line closure.

Simon Milburn, infrastructure director for Network Rail Anglia, said: “These four September weekends gave us the time to complete a series of vital jobs that we simply couldn’t have got done if trains were running. Thank you to passengers for bearing with us while we made the very most of our track access to boost reliability, including on 28 September when we had to carry out additional works near Gidea Park at short notice.”

Martin Beable, managing director for Greater Anglia, said: “These works were essential to keep the railway running and make it fit for the future. We would like to thank customers for their patience and understanding while Network Rail completed the work.”