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Tuesday 17 Oct 2017

More reliable rail services between Norwich and London following installation of new track

Region & Route:

Eastern: Anglia

| Eastern

Work to install new track at Kelvedon, Essex was completed this weekend and will make services from Norwich to London more reliable for the millions of people that travel on the route every year.

Over the last three weekends, Network Rail engineers have been working to replace four switches and crossings units, the moveable sections of track that guide trains from one track to another and allow them to cross paths. This follows the installation of 274 metres of new track between Stowmarket and Manningtree in September.

Over time, track becomes worn from constant use, especially on the busy main line, and needs to be replaced to keep services on the move to improve reliability.

Ballast, the stones that form the track bed, was also replaced to improve drainage and keep the track in place. This keeps the track in good condition resulting in fewer delays and smoother journeys for passengers.

Meliha Duymaz, Network Rail’s route managing director for Anglia, said: “This work is essential to keep services running smoothly and safely every day on the busy mainline. We’ve replaced the worn track as part of our Railway Upgrade Plan to improve reliability for all passengers using services between Norwich and London. I’d like to thank passengers for their patience while we carried out this work.”

Jamie Burles, managing director of Greater Anglia, said: "We appreciate that engineering works is an inconvenience to our customers, but this work is essential to make the railway more reliable now and in the future. Even when there is engineering works, we ensure that our customers are able to complete their journeys, even if part of it is by bus."