A week long closure of the East Suffolk line between Saxmundham and Ipswich will commence late this coming Saturday 10th August and will remain in place until the early hours of Saturday 17th August.

The closure is part of a prolonged track renewal program, 1700 meters of track will replaced between Woodbridge and Westerfield junction.

This will include, replacing the existing rails with continuously welded rail, new sleepers and ballast, this will not only give a smother ride and reduce some of the noise from trains, it will also be able to handle the extra freight traffic that has been steadily growing on the line at higher speeds.

This project continues the efforts of last year’s work to stabilise a mile-long section of embankment that was eroding, causing problems with the trackbed and signalling equipment liable to prevent the line’s safe and reliable operation.

This work will disrupt Greater Anglia train services daily from Sunday, 11 August to Friday, 16 August.

During this period, buses will substitute for trains between Saxmundham and Ipswich. However, trains will still run between Lowestoft and Saxmundham.

“This work is extremely important to help maintain the safe and reliable running of the railway and make it fit for the future.

“A rail replacement service will run while the work takes place and passengers are advised to check before they travel and allow more time for their journey.

“We would like to thank customers for their patience and understanding while this work is carried out.”

Jamie Burles, Greater Anglia managing director