A deteriorating mile-long embankment on the Ipswich to Lowestoft line is set to be widened in order to stabilise it and will see Network Rail engineers working for 13 consecutive days north of Martlesham. The work will take place from Saturday the 25th of March to Thursday the 6th of April.

Rail replacement buses will be in operation between Ipswich and Saxmundham for the duration of the project except for the 30th of March to the 1st of April due to industrial action which will see no services operating whatsoever on the East Suffolk line including rail replacement buses.

The essential work is being carried out as the top part of the embankment is moving away which means that vital signalling equipment and signage are slowly slipping down the bank which could impact the safe and reliable running of the line into the future.

At present, the same area features no walkway to allow rail workers access along the embankment which is severely hampering the team’s ability to carry out the maintenance work and the essential maintenance project will also see further space created for a new walkway.

The line heading towards Ipswich is also set to see track replacement and this cannot take place until the stabilising work is completed.

The upcoming 13-day period of work follows on from a number of working weekends throughout December and February which saw almost 3 miles of track replaced on different areas of the East Suffolk Line between Westerfield and Woodbridge stations. Some parts of the tracks were laid approximately 100 years ago and featured joints in between different sections, the newly installed track is a continuously welded rail and will see a noise reduction for the local community.

Further work which took place during this time saw engineers complete the replacement of ballast and sleepers as well as improve the surfaces at three level crossings in the Woodbridge area making them much safer and easier to use for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers. A further two sets of crossings are set to see improvement work in the Woodbridge area on the 25th and 26th of March.

Network Rail wishes to thank both passengers and lineside neighbours for their patience during this period of work as they work towards reducing faults and delays for Greater Anglia‘s services.

Mark Walker, Network Rail Anglia route infrastructure engineer, said:“I want to thank everyone for their patience during the recent weekend closures, and I’m sorry that passengers will now face an extended stretch of bus replacement. However, the major work on this steep, high embankment is a vital part of making the East Suffolk Line fit for the future. It will help us avoid sudden disruption or closures, and pave the way for more much-needed track replacement.”

Jamie Burles, Greater Anglia managing director, said:“This improvement work will help make trains even more punctual along the East Suffolk Line. Our new trains are already providing a very good service on the route and this engineering work will help ensure we can continue to deliver high standards of performance on a consistent basis and provide a more comfortable journey for passengers.

“A rail replacement bus service will run between Ipswich and Saxmundham so customers can complete their journeys. We would advise everyone to check before they travel and allow more time for their journey. We would like to thank customers for their patience while this work is carried out.”

Saxmunhdam car park will be closed whilst the stabilising project is underway as rail replacement buses will be using it.

Rail replacement buses will not be able to carry full-sized bikes and e-scooters.

Whilst the essential work is underway, further strike action is set to go ahead and passengers are advised to check their travel plans ahead of making a journey via greateranglia.co.uk or nationalrail.co.uk

Please note that train services will also be impacted on days following the strike action.