Media centre

Thursday 4 Jun 2020

Wherry line track renewal works to make journeys more reliable for passengers

Region & Route:

Eastern: Anglia

Works to replace worn out track on the line between Norwich and Lowestoft will take place in June and August to provide a better journey experience for passengers. This follows works successfully completed last February to replace 3km of track in the Hassingham area.

Next weekend, engineers will replace nearly 1km of track between Buckenham and Cantley station to maintain a safe and reliable railway. The work will take place on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 June. Rail replacement services will run and passengers are advised to check before they travel. Passengers should only use this service if their journey is essential and they can’t travel another way.

In August, engineers will replace approximately 4km of track in the vicinity of Cantley including through the station. There will be a week long closure of the line from 11pm on Friday 14 August and the line will reopen on Monday 24 August. A rail replacement service will run and passengers should check with the train operator before they travel for the latest information and travel guidance.

The works will include track replacement and installation of a new vehicle deck across the Station Road crossing in the village of Cantley. Closures of the crossing are required on the following days and times:

• From 22:00 on Wednesday 19 August to 05:00 on Monday 24 August
• From 23:00 on Friday 28 August to 06:00 on Sunday 30 August to complete the vehicle deck.

Vehicle access across the railway will not be possible when the crossing is closed. Pedestrian access will be maintained and managed throughout the works via the Church Road foot crossing to the north west of the station. Plans are in place to accommodate vehicle access for blue light services in an emergency.

Network Rail is providing a secure parking facility along with a minibus service (following Government guidance on social distancing) to ferry people between the car park and Church Road foot crossing to minimise the inconvenience during the crossing closures.  

The works have been planned with the co-operation of the British Sugar factory and public meetings have been held with residents and the Parish Council to explain how the works will be undertaken and to address local concerns about access.

Ellie Burrows, route director for Anglia said: “These important works are part of our programme of track renewals across the route to maintain safe and reliable rail services. We recognise the impact this work will have on the local community and have put measures in place to try to minimise the disruption. I’d like to thank the Cantley community and British Sugar for their patience and co-operation while we carry out this work.”   

Jamie Burles, Greater Anglia managing director, said: “We realise that any engineering works causes our customers inconvenience, but this work is vital so that we can provide as reliable a service as possible.

“We will ensure that customers are able to complete their journeys – even if part of it is by bus, and that any measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 are followed.

“At the moment, Government advice is to avoid all public transport, including trains, unless your journey is essential and you can’t travel another way.”

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