Passengers are being advised to plan ahead as essential track renewal and bridge repair work will take place from Saturday 25 October for nine days on the East Suffolk line. Level crossings will be temporarily closed to support the track work, affecting local traffic and pedestrian routes.

Much of the track in this area is over 100 years old and will be replaced with continuously welded rail, improving the safe and reliable operation of train services, reducing noise, and enhancing passenger comfort. Engineers will also carry out repairs to two local rail bridges: one over the River Deben near Ufford level crossing and another over the River Alde near Beversham level crossing. Work includes strengthening the structures and repairing brickwork on the bridge abutments.

Simon Milburn, Network Rail’s infrastructure director for Anglia, said: “This investment is about securing the future of the East Suffolk line. Replacing the track and repairing the bridges will mean safer, more reliable journeys and less noise for passengers and communities. Importantly, it also plays a crucial role in supporting the Sizewell C project by making sure the railway is ready to carry construction materials by rail, helping reduce the impact on local roads. Thank you to passengers and communities for bearing with us while this work is carried out.”

Martin Beable, Greater Anglia’s Managing Director, added: “The East Suffolk line improvements are essential in significantly improving the long-term safety and reliability of our network for our passengers. Replacing the track will mean reduced noise for local communities and further support Sizewell’s transport strategy. We would like to thank customers for their patience and understanding while this work is carried out. Passengers are advised to check before they travel and allow more time for their journey.”

To allow engineers safe access to the track and the bridges, Greater Anglia train services will be replaced by buses between Ipswich and Halesworth on the following dates:

• Saturday 25 October to Sunday 2 November (nine-day closure)

• Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 November

• Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 November

• Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 November

• Saturday 06 and Sunday 07 December

• Sunday 14 December (between Westerfield and Woodbridge only) 

Train services will continue to operate between Halesworth and Lowestoft during this period. These renewals will also help support Sizewell’s transport strategy to transport construction materials by rail in the future. Passengers can check their journeys at nationalrail.co.uk or via the Greater Anglia website and app.

Temporary level crossing closures for track work

To allow the track work to take place safely, level crossings at Melton Station, Jetty Lane, Haywards and Ferry Lane will also need to be temporarily closed at various times between October and December. The busiest of these, Melton Station crossing on the A1152, will be closed on the following dates. 

• From 2200 on Friday 24 October through to 0600 on Wednesday 29 October (104 hours)

• From 1900 on Sunday 09 November through to 0600 on Monday 10 November (11 hours)

• From 2000 on Friday 05 December through to 1800 on Saturday 06 December (22 hours)

Letters have been sent to local residents to set out in more detail when the crossing closures are planned for all four crossings. Signed diversion routes for road users have been agreed with the local Council.  

Temporary level crossing closures for River Deben and River Alde bridge repairs

To allow the bridge repairs to take place safety, the Ufford level crossing on Bridge Road and the Beversham level crossing on Farnham Road will be temporarily closed during the following times:

• From 0001 Saturday 25 October to 0500 Monday 3 November

• From 0001 Saturday 15 November to 0400 Monday 17 November 

• From 0001 Saturday 22 November to 0400 Monday 24 November

• From 0001 Saturday 29 November to 0400 Monday 01 December

Signed road diversion routes have been agreed with the local Council and will be in place to allow road users to navigate around the crossing closures. 

Image: Network Rail