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Thursday 6 Jul 2017

New track will make rail journeys smoother and more reliable between Ipswich, Lowestoft and Felixstowe

Region & Route:

Eastern: Anglia

| Eastern

Rail passengers using the line between Ipswich, Lowestoft and Felixstowe are urged to check before they travel at the end of July as Network Rail begins work to replace the track over a nine-day closure to make journeys smoother and more reliable.

The line will be closed between Ipswich and Halesworth from Saturday 29 July to Sunday 6 August so that Network Rail can replace nearly 8km of track as part of its Railway Upgrade Plan. A total of 1500 engineers will carry out the work over the nine day period. A rail replacement service will be in place between Ipswich and Halesworth during the closure.

Additionally, on two weekends, 29 - 30 July and 5 - 6 August, the line will be closed between Ipswich and Felixstowe for track renewal work. A rail replacement service will be in place. Mainline services will not be affected.

Simon Ancona, Network Rail’s chief operating officer for Anglia, said: “This work will improve reliability and keep services running smoothly as part of our Railway Upgrade Plan. I understand the inconvenience of the closure, but this amount of work can only be completed when the line isn’t in use. We’ve planned the work over a nine day period rather than a series of weekend closures so it can be completed more quickly and is more cost effective for the taxpayer.”

Jamie Burles, managing director of Greater Anglia, said:  “We will make sure that customers are able to complete their journeys during the works. We have a full and comprehensive rail replacement bus service planned and staff on hand to make sure people transfer from bus to train without a problem. The bus timetables are published on our website under “service alterations” for each date. “

Passengers are advised to check before they travel at www.greateranglia.co.uk or www.nationalrail.co.uk