At the end of this month, there will be no direct trains on the East Suffolk Line between Ipswich and Lowestoft because of vital engineering work on the bridge that carries the railway over the River Deben between Melton and Wickham Market stations.

The work will last for six days between Sunday, 20th and Friday, 25th August. During this time rail replacement buses will be provided between Ipswich and Saxmundham, where there will be a connecting train service from Saxmundham to Lowestoft.

Also, on Sunday, 3rd September, engineering work will take place on the Ipswich to Felixstowe line, with rail replacement buses being provided.

Passengers should note that rail replacement buses cannot carry full-size bicycles or e-scooters.

Further information about train services during this period can be found at greateranglia.co.uk or nationalrail.co.uk.

The work on the bridge is required because the timbers under the rails are deteriorating. If no action is taken, speed restrictions might need to be imposed, which will affect every train that crossed the bridge, with the resultant delays to passengers. During the work, both the old timbers and rail lines across the bridge will be replaced.

Mark Walker, Network Rail Anglia route infrastructure engineer, said: “We need to replace these bridge timbers now and require an extended stretch of access to the railway to do it. We’re really sorry that we’ll be inconveniencing passengers later this August, but our focus is to run a safe and reliable railway all year round, reducing the risk of any sudden disruption or longer closures.”

Jamie Burles, Greater Anglia managing director, said: “This improvement work will help us maintain high levels of punctuality on the East Suffolk Line. With our new trains having raised service standards on this important route, this engineering work will help secure the reliability of the rail infrastructure and provide a more comfortable journey for passengers.

“A rail replacement bus service will run while the work takes place, so customers can complete their journeys. We would like to thank passengers for their patience.”