Media centre

Tuesday 4 Sep 2018

Transformation of Wherry lines continues with autumn works at Reedham junction

Region & Route:

Eastern: Anglia

| Eastern

Network Rail is preparing to deliver the next phase of works to upgrade the signaling systems and track as part of the £68m Norwich, Yarmouth, Lowestoft (NYL) re-signalling project. Engineers will continue to upgrade some of the oldest signals in the country, improving safety and journeys for passengers travelling on the Wherry lines.

The works will take place over nine days from 20 October 2018. The bulk of the autumn work is planned to take place at Reedham junction where a new track layout will improve reliability and operational efficiency.

The changes to Reedham junction will also require rail services between Reedham and Yarmouth to be suspended from 20 October until April 2019 when the new signals will come into operation. The closure of the single branch line will affect a small number of daily services via Berney Arms

This is being done in preparation for the final switch over from a Victorian era signalling system to a modern signalling system in spring 2019. Other work across the lines will include:

• installation of signals including piling and foundation construction
• Level crossing works including civil engineering works for CCTV operation and under track cable routes
• Installation of cables and lineside equipment cases

Meliha Duymaz, Network Rail’s route managing director for Anglia, said: “The next phase of this project is vital to continue to transform the railway as part of our Railway Upgrade Plan. While I understand that closing the railway is an inconvenience I would like to reassure passengers that this work will deliver tangible benefits to rail journeys across the Wherry lines, increasing safety and reliability using modern signaling technology. I’d like to thank passengers for their patience while we carry out this important work and urge anyone using these services to check their journey plans ahead of travelling.”

Jamie Burles, Greater Anglia managing director, said:

” We really appreciate the patience of our customers using this line during these works. Together with Network Rail we’re completely modernising the railway in this area which will have brand new state-of-the-art signaling and trains, resulting in a more reliable service. While the work is going on, we will make sure that customers can still complete their journeys, even if it is by bus.”

Rail replacement bus information:

Over the nine day period from 20 October, Greater Anglia will operate rail replacement bus services:

• Norwich to Yarmouth will be closed for nine days from Saturday 20 October until Sunday 28 October. A rail replacement bus service will be operating.

• Norwich to Lowestoft will be closed for nine days from Saturday 20 October until Sunday 28 October. A rail replacement bus service will be operating.

• Reedham to Yarmouth via Berney Arms will be closed from Saturday 20 October until April 2019.

• Norwich to Sheringham train services will continue to operate Monday to Friday but train services will be suspended on the weekends of Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 October and Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 October. A rail replacement bus service will be operating
• Lowestoft to Ipswich train services will continue to operate Monday to Friday but train services will be suspended between Lowestoft and Beccles on the weekends of Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 October and Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 October. A rail replacement bus service will be operating.

Works to deliver the re-signalling project will be taking place at various weekends between October 2018 and March 2019 which may affect services on the Wherry lines. 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.