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Monday 10 Nov 2025

Signalling equipment around Diss to get a digital upgrade this month, helping to drive down delays for passengers

Region & Route:

Eastern: Anglia

Over two November weekends, Network Rail will be completing the latest stage of a project to swap out 40-year-old signalling components at the Norwich end of the Great Eastern main line.

The components are associated with various aspects of signalling, including detecting where trains are located on the route. As well as being more reliable, the new digital parts are compatible with potential further upgrades to signalling equipment, helping to future-proof the railway.

At the same time as these upgrades are being made, engineers will be getting other vital work done on this part of the line. Between Diss and Norwich, maintenance is taking place on overhead line equipment. While outside Stowmarket, teams will be using machines called stoneblowers to even up the track so passengers can keep riding smoothly and safely.

All this work will take place over the weekends of 15/16 November and 29/30 November, with rail replacement buses in operation.

On Sunday 23 November, there will be additional work towards the London end of the line and on the Southend and Southminster branches. This includes a team working at Forest Gate to replace a faulty part of the track layout that allows trains to switch lines. Engineers have been carefully monitoring the faulty track, and a 50mph speed restriction has been put in place to keep everyone safe. If the work was not carried out, trains might have to run even more slowly, or the line might have to be blocked entirely at short notice. Network Rail will also be working near Forest Gate to make essential repairs to the metal structure of a bridge.

Simon Milburn, infrastructure director for Network Rail Anglia, said: “We’ll be making the most of our planned engineering access, carrying out a range of essential works to keep services running on time into the future. We’re really sorry for the disruption while trains can’t run, but we need to get these jobs done.”

Martin Beable, managing director for Greater Anglia, said: "This project will help to modernise the railway and maintain punctuality and reliability. We would like to thank customers for their patience and understanding while Network Rail carry out this work."

Service changes will be in place as follows:

Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 November

Buses will replace trains between Norwich and Ipswich. Trains will continue to operate between Ipswich and London.

Sunday 23 November

Buses replace trains between Ingatestone and Newbury Park (TfL Central Line station). Before 10.30am, trains operate between Norwich / Ipswich / Clacton-on-Sea and Ingatestone. After 10.30am, trains operate between Norwich / Ipswich / Clacton-on-Sea and Shenfield (via Ingatestone connecting to rail replacement buses).

Buses replace trains between Southend Victoria and Newbury Park (TfL Central Line station), as well as been Southminster and Wickford.

On the Elizabeth line, there is no service between Whitechapel and Shenfield, with rail replacement buses running between Stratford – Romford (C service) and Shenfield – Newbury Park (D service).

Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 November

Buses replace trains between Norwich and Ipswich as well as between Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds. Trains will continue to operate between Ipswich – London, between Bury St Edmunds – Cambridge, and between Bury St Edmunds – Peterborough.

Passengers should check before they travel at greateranglia.co.uk / tfl.gov.uk