Media centre

Wednesday 25 Feb 2026

REMINDER: Weekend engineering work to improve journeys on the East Suffolk Line

Region & Route:

Eastern: Anglia

Passengers travelling on the East Suffolk line this spring are advised to plan ahead as essential weekend engineering work will be taking place in March to deliver a smoother, more reliable journey for passengers.

As part of a wider plan of investment along the East Suffolk line, old jointed rail near Saxmundham will be replaced with continuously welded rail, helping reduce noise from passing trains and improving passenger comfort.

As some of the track is around 100 years old, replacing it with better rails will maintain the safe and reliable operation of train services for Greater Anglia passengers and future freight services for the construction of Sizewell C. 

In addition to the track renewal works, we will be carrying out the following improvements:

• Final strengthening and repairs to the bridges over the River Deben and River Alde, helping maintain the long-term resilience of the railway
• Installing and activating new signalling equipment at multiple locations on the East Suffolk Line to help trains run safely and on schedule
• Repairing the road surface near Brick Lane Level Crossing to make it safer and easier for vehicles to use
• Upgrading drainage near the Broomheath area to reduce flooding and keep the railway operational in wet weather

Greater Anglia will also use the time when trains aren’t running to continue to refurbish the footbridge at Woodbridge station for a safer and more accessible experience for passengers.

To allow engineers safe access to the track, train services will be replaced by buses between Ipswich and Halesworth on the following dates:

• Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 March
• Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 March
• Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 March

Train services will continue to operate between Halesworth and Lowestoft on these weekends. Passengers can check their journeys at nationalrail.co.uk or via the Greater Anglia website and app.

There will also be associated temporary level crossing closures, with road diversion routes in place for road users at the times mentioned below. 

Temporary level crossing closures for River Deben and River Alde bridge repairs

To allow the follow-up of essential bridge repairs to be carried out safely at the River Deben and River Alde, Ufford level crossing on Bridge Road and Beversham level crossing on Farnham Road will be temporarily closed during the following periods:

From 0000 on Saturday 7 March 2026 until 0600 on Monday 9 March 2026.

From 0000 on Saturday 14 March 2026 until 0600 on Monday 16 March 2026.

Signed road diversion routes have been agreed with the local Council and will be in place to allow road users to navigate around the crossing closures.

Temporary level crossing restrictions for surfacing works

To allow surfacing and tarmacking works to take place safely, level crossings at Melton Sewage, Brick Kiln and Blackstock will be subject to temporary restrictions on the following dates.

Crossings with no vehicle access
Brick Kiln crossing
From 0800 to 1700 on Saturday 7 March 2026.
From 0800 to 1700 on Sunday 8 March 2026.

Blackstock crossing
From 0700 to 1700 on Saturday 21 March 2026
From 0700 to 1700 on Sunday 22 March 2026

Crossings with delays only (vehicles and pedestrians)
To allow surfacing and tarmacking works to take place safely, vehicles and pedestrians may have to wait a few minutes to use the crossing.

Melton Sewage crossing
From 0700 to 1700 on Saturday 7 March 2026 
From 0700 to 1700 on Sunday 8 March 2026

Letters have been sent to local residents setting out in more detail when the crossing restrictions are planned for all four crossings. Signed road diversion routes have been agreed with the local Council and will be in place to allow road users to navigate around the closures.

Mark Walker, infrastructure director for Network Rail Anglia, said:
“We’re carrying out vital upgrades along the East Suffolk Line to make travel safer and smoother for everyone. From station maintenance and bridge repairs to signalling improvements and better drainage, this work strengthens the railway for years to come. We thank passengers and local communities for their understanding while these improvements are underway.”

Martin Beable, Greater Anglia’s Managing Director, said: 
“We would like to thank customers for their patience and understanding while Network Rail carry out this work.

“These projects will help to modernise the railway and ensure it is fit for the future. The works will also help to maintain our high standards of punctuality and reliability.”