Passengers are being advised to check before travelling as a programme of wheel timber renewals over four bridges close to Manea will begin on Saturday the 11th of September and will affect journeys between Ely and Peterborough.

More than 20 months of inspection of the softwood wheel timbers have been undertaken using cutting edge technology so that the internal state of the timbers can be understood with the inspection finding that 115 timbers from four bridges are in need of replacement.

Network Rail and their contractor Taziker will replace 29 pairs of wheel timbers over seven weekends starting this month.

This phase of the project follows work undertaken in late 2020, which saw 57 pairs of wheel timbers replaced across the four bridges. It is vital that timbers are replaced to prevent further deterioration, which could, in turn, lead to speed restrictions or line closure which would cause significant disruption to services.

The work will be taking place on the following dates:

• Saturday the 11th of September
• Sunday the 19th of September
• Sunday the 26th of September
• Sunday the 3rd of October
• Sunday the 10th of October
• Sunday the 17th of October
• Saturday the 23rd and Sunday the 24th of October

Passengers planning to travel on these dates are being asked to check at www.nationalrail.co.uk or with their train operator.

Ellie Burrows, Network Rail’s route director for Anglia, said: “Running a safe railway is my absolute priority and this work is vital to running a safe and reliable railway network for our passengers.

“We can only carry out this work when trains aren’t running and have planned this in at the weekend when fewer people travel.

“I advise passengers to check before they travel and thank everyone for their patience while the work takes place.”

Jamie Burles, Greater Anglia managing director, said: “This track maintenance work will help to improve reliability along this key part of our network.

“A rail replacement bus service will operate while the work takes place, so customers will be able to complete their journeys. Passengers should check before they travel, allow more time for their journey and wear a face covering when travelling by train or rail replacement bus and at our stations.

“We have several measures in place to keep customers safe including regular cleaning and sanitisation of trains and stations, and high levels of face covering compliance.

“We would like to thank customers for their patience while this work takes place.”

Richard Morris, Regional Director East Midlands & Anglia, CrossCountry said: “We are pleased that Network Rail are carrying out this essential infrastructure upgrade work at times of the week when fewer of our customers will be travelling. We will work collaboratively with our rail industry partners to ensure alternative travel arrangements are put in place to minimise the inconvenience to passengers”.

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