Media centre

Friday 10 Feb 2006

TRACK IMPROVEMENT WORK STARTS ON EAST SUFFOLK LINE

Region & Route:

| Southern

Rail passengers are set to benefit from a £3.36 million track improvement project in East Suffolk, starting tonight. Engineers will work around the clock for the next nine days to replace and upgrade four miles (7,000 yards) of track between Darsham and Saxmundham.  Passengers travelling between Ipswich and Lowestoft on the East Suffolk Line will be affected. Jon Wiseman, Network Rail Route Director, said: “We are investing heavily into upgrading the track in this part of the country to improve the reliability of the line and ensure a smoother and quieter journey for passengers.” The track in this area is around 60 years old and needs to be replaced.  It is known as jointed rail which makes the familiar ‘clackety-clack’ sound when a train passes over it, but will be replaced by a more modern type of unjointed rail to allow a smoother ride for passengers that is also quieter for people living nearby.  The new track will also be less susceptible to faults that could result in train delays. The major work is programmed to start at 11.40 tonight and will require the railway to be closed between Saxmundham and Lowestoft until the early hours of Monday 20 February.  Bus replacement services will be provided by train operator ‘one’ and passengers are asked to leave extra time to travel.  Further travel advice is available from National Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50 or www.nationalrail.co.uk. Jon Wiseman continued: “By working around the clock for nine days our engineers will get a huge amount of essential work done all at once, keeping long-term disruption to a minimum.  When the work is complete passengers will enjoy the benefits for many years to come.” The track improvement work will include two level crossings on the route, which will also require temporary road closures: ·         Darsham level crossing on the A12 will be closed from 10pm tonight (Friday 10 Febuary) to 5am on Monday 13 February ·         Middleton level crossing on the B1122 Middleton Road will be closed from 10pm on Friday 17 February to 5am on Monday 20 February This work has been restricted to weekends to minimise inconvenience to road users and Network Rail has worked closely with Suffolk County Council to ensure road diversions are in place.