Network Rail will be undertaking a large-scale project to stabilise and widen a mile-long embankment just north of Martlesham on the East Suffolk Line.

The vital work will require rail replacement buses to operate over 13 consecutive days from Saturday the 25th of March to Thursday the 6th of April.

During the period of work, no direct trains will operate between Ipswich and Lowestoft however, rail replacement buses will be in operation keeping passengers on the move between Ipswich and Saxmundham. Passengers are advised that full-size bicycles and e-scooters cannot be carried on the rail replacement buses.

Further changes to train services will also be in place on Thursday the 30th of March and Saturday the 1st as planned industrial action takes place. Passengers are advised to check their travel plans ahead of making a journey during the strike action by visiting greateranglia.co.uk or nationalrail.co.uk

The car park at Saxmundham station will be closed whilst the embankment work is under in order for rail replacement buses to use it.

The essential engineering project is being carried out as the top of the embankment is slipping away which means that important signalling equipment and signage are slowly making their way down the bank which could lead to issues in the running of the line in a safe and reliable manner.

The mile-long embankment also features no walkway to allow railway workers to access the embankment creating significant difficulties in carrying out maintenance, the widening aspect of the project will therefore create enough space to include a new walkway.

Once complete, the essential engineering work will allow further improvement works such as the replacement of a mile of worn-out track which sits on top of the embankment to go ahead and will be completed by Network Rail between the 16th and 25th of August. During this period of work, rail replacement buses will also operate in place of trains during the 10-day period of work. Renewing worn-out track is vital to keeping faults and delays to a minimum.

Mark Walker, Network Rail Anglia route infrastructure engineer, said: “I’m really sorry that passengers will face extended stretches of bus replacement. However, the major work on this steep, high embankment is vital to help keep trains on time and avoid sudden disruptions or closures. We are building an East Suffolk Line that is fit for the future.”

Jamie Burles, Greater Anglia managing director, said: “This improvement work will help ensure we can continue to operate a punctual train service 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 between 25 March and 6 April 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.”

Further to the stabilisation and widening of the embankment, engineers will also complete the renewal of surfaces of two-level crossings in the Woodbridge area which will take place on Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th of March. This work follows on from upgrades at three crossings nearby making them safer and easier to use.