Network Rail has completed work to refurnish three swing bridges in Norfolk and Suffolk to improve their reliability.

Both train passengers and boat users suffered disruption during the works, including a nine-day stretch when buses replaced trains between Norwich and Lowestoft, and Network Rail has expressed its thanks to users for their understanding whilst the work was being carried out.

The swing bridges are over 100 years old and had become unreliable. At Reedham and Somerleyton swing bridges, Network Rail engineers have:

• Installed a beam in the buildings that house the swing bridges’ machinery to strengthen tham enough so that a temporary opening could be made in a wall that allowed old and heavy machinery to be removed and replaced with modern, more-reliable equipment.
• Upgraded and replaced the manual winch systems that enables the bridges to be opened manually by bridge operators if there are problems with the machinery.
• Completely renewed and upgraded the electrical systems.

Further work is planned for the future, which will include full replacement of the hydraulic and mechanical systems that the bridges use to open and close. Dates for that work will be announced in due course.

Whilst work was ongoing at Reedham and Somerleyton, survey work was being carried out at Oulton Broad swing bridge, which is also part of the project.

During the closure of the Norwich-Lowestoft line, Network Rail also carried out essential drainage, track and vegetation management works along the line.

Further information about work on the bridges can be found at Network Rails swing bridge renewals page here.

Ellie Burrows, Network Rail’s route director for Anglia, said: “These bridges on the Wherry and East Suffolk lines are an important part of our railway heritage and also critical pieces of infrastructure that keep both rail and boat traffic moving. Renewing the components will reduce the risk of mechanical problems and help keep services running safely, smoothly and reliably for our passengers, as well as maintaining access to the ports and marinas.”

Jamie Burles, Greater Anglia managing director, said: “I’d like to thank customers for their patience while this work was carried out. Our new trains have already improved reliability on our Norwich and Ipswich to Lowestoft lines and this work will make it even better, which I know our customers will welcome.”

Rob Rogers, Broads Authority Director of Operations, said: “This much-needed investment by Network Rail into the Broads’ swing bridges is very much welcomed by the Broads Authority and our boating communities.

“It has been a challenging few years for our river users regarding the bridges and we are delighted to hear that work is progressing to allow them to reliably open for river traffic.”