Media centre

Friday 3 Nov 2006

TRACK TO THE FUTURE – BRANCH LINE WORK COMPLETE ON TIME AND ON BUDGET

Region & Route:

| Southern

Extreme flooding in Norfolk last week failed to wash-out the massive engineering work on the Norwich to Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft branch lines after the lines were reopened on schedule to the first passenger services this morning. The massive £4.5 million project, which involved 150 engineers working round the clock for 16 days to replace over 8,000 yards of track, was delivered on-time and on-budget despite engineers battling the extensive flooding that swept Norfolk last week. In addition to the planned track renewals, the project team also replaced more than 140 tonnes of track material in the Haddiscoe area after it had been washed away by flooding from the River Waveney. Network Rail Route Director Jon Wiseman said: “This work is an excellent example of our engineers working in the face of adversity to complete a massive project on-time and on-budget. It is also a tribute to our close working with ‘one’ to keep people on the move while work took place. I would like to thank passengers for their patience while this essential work was carried out and hope they will benefit from the smoother, quieter and more reliable journeys this work will deliver.” The Norwich to Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft branch lines were closed from Saturday 21 October to Sunday 5 November. The old jointed track, which caused trains to make their clickety-clack sound, was replaced by new ‘continuous welded track’, leading to smoother and quieter journeys for passengers. The new track is also easier to maintain helping to improve reliability and ensure the long-term future of the branch lines.