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Wednesday 20 Mar 2019

Signalling upgrade of the Wherry lines continues with track works at Brundall junction

Region & Route:

Eastern: Anglia

| Eastern

The next phase of works to upgrade the signalling systems and track as part of the Norwich, Yarmouth, Lowestoft (NYL) re-signalling project takes place from Saturday.

Engineers will continue to upgrade some of the oldest signals in the country, improving safety and reliability for passengers travelling on the Wherry lines.

The works will take place over nine days from Saturday 23 March, focusing on major track remodelling at Brundall junction. This work will involve replacing all the track, reconfiguring the junction and installing powered switches delivering improvements to reliability and operational efficiency.

Other work will include:

• Constructing a new access ramp at Brundall station and reconstructing 50 metres of platform to bring it into use for the new Greater Anglia trains.

• Revised signalling control arrangement between Brundall and Reedham
• The provision of new power supplies and cable installation

This work is being done in preparation for the switch over from a Victorian era signalling system to a modern system. The date for the new signals to come into operation is currently being reviewed. This is to allow our engineers to complete rigorous testing and validation of the new signal control programme to ensure it meets the strict safety requirements for a modern, operational railway.

Meliha Duymaz, Network Rail’s route managing director for Anglia, said: 
“We’re continuing to deliver the necessary upgrades to bring the Wherry lines into the 21^st Century. The modern signalling systems we are installing will help to increase safety and reliability of the railway.

" I’d like to thank passengers for their continued patience while we upgrade these systems for the benefit of everyone who uses the railway.”

Jamie Burles, Greater Anglia managing director, said:

“We apologise for the inconvenience caused while these works take place, however we would like to reassure customers that they can still complete their journeys by bus.

“This work is essential for the transformation of the railway in East Anglia, which is currently underway. Both Network Rail and Greater Anglia are investing in the region, and new trains are due to come into service later this year.”

Over the nine-day period, from Saturday 23 March:

• Services between Norwich and Yarmouth will be suspended for nine days until Sunday 31 March (inclusive) reopening on Monday 1^st April
• Services from Norwich to Lowestoft will be suspended for nine days until Sunday 31 March (inclusive), reopening on Monday 1^st April
• The line between Oulton Broad South and Lowestoft will be closed for seven days until Friday 29 March (inclusive). Services from Ipswich will terminate at Oulton Board South, with rail replacement provided from Beccles.
• Greater Anglia will operate rail replacement bus services during the period to allow passengers to complete their journeys. Passengers are advised to check before they travel at www.nationalrail.co.uk or www.greateranglia.co.uk. 
• For more information about the project please visit www.networkrail.co.uk/nyl.

The Reedham to Yarmouth line via Berney Arms is currently closed until we upgrade the signalling systems. This line will reopen when the old signals have been switched over to the new computer-controlled system. A date for this will be announced in due course.