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Monday 31 Oct 2022

Network Rail completes first phase of work to boost reliability on East Anglia swing bridges

Region & Route:

Eastern: Anglia

A package of works on swing bridges in Norfolk and Suffolk has been completed this autumn as part of a project to improve their reliability.

Network Rail is thanking train passengers and boat users for their patience while there was disruption over the period, including a nine day stretch of bus replacement between Norwich and Lowestoft.

The iconic swing bridges are designed to carry trains over waterways and swing open to let boats through, but they are over 100 years old and their internal parts have become unreliable. During the project, Network Rail’s engineers are replacing these parts, making the bridges less likely to develop faults and reducing the need for costly maintenance.

During the autumn, engineers have carried out vital works on Reedham and Somerleyton swing bridges. At both bridges they have:

• Installed a beam in the building that houses the swing bridge machinery. This will make the building strong enough for a temporary opening to be made in the wall. The opening will allow old and heavy machinery to be moved out and replaced with modern, more reliable equipment.
• Upgraded and replaced the manual winch system. This allows the bridge to be swung open manually by the bridge operator if there are problems with the machinery, keeping trains and boat users moving.
• Completed a full renewal and upgrade of the electrical system.

Dates for future works will be announced in due course and will primarily include a full replacement of the hydraulic and mechanical systems that the bridges use to open and close.

During October, survey work was additionally carried out at Oulton Broad swing bridge, which is also part of the project.

The upgrade of the three swing bridges will help Greater Anglia train passengers and boat users get to their destinations on time for years to come, while enabling the historic structures to keep being operated in the modern day.

While the swing bridge work took place over the nine day closure, Network Rail took the opportunity to carry out essential drainage, track and vegetation management works along the Norwich-Lowestoft line.

Ellie Burrows, Network Rail’s route director for Anglia, said: “These bridges on the Wherry and East Suffolk lines are an important part of our railway heritage and also critical pieces of infrastructure that keep both rail and boat traffic moving. Renewing the components will reduce the risk of mechanical problems and help keep services running safely, smoothly and reliably for our passengers, as well as maintaining access to the ports and marinas.”

Jamie Burles, Greater Anglia managing director, said: “I’d like to thank customers for their patience while this work was carried out. Our new trains have already improved reliability on our Norwich and Ipswich to Lowestoft lines and this work will make it even better, which I know our customers will welcome.”

Rob Rogers, Broads Authority Director of Operations, said: “This much-needed investment by Network Rail into the Broads’ swing bridges is very much welcomed by the Broads Authority and our boating communities.

“It has been a challenging few years for our river users regarding the bridges and we are delighted to hear that work is progressing to allow them to reliably open for river traffic.”

Notes to Editors

For more information, please visit our Anglia swing bridge renewals webpage

You can follow us on Twitter for the latest news in the Anglia region @NetworkRailAng and find swing bridge updates using the hashtag #AngliaSwingBridges

The Lowestoft to Norwich Wherry line is celebrating its 175th anniversary this year – having opened to goods on 3 May 1847 and passengers on 1 July 1847.