Suffolk residents are invited to an information event to find out more about major improvements to the railway line that runs between Ipswich to Felixstowe which includes building extra track and closing level crossings as part of Network Rail’s Railway Upgrade Plan.
Network Rail is making improvements to the Felixstowe branch line to enable more goods to be transported by freight train, to boost the growth of Felixstowe Port, which is vital to the UK economy. Today, 33 freight trains can run in and out of the port every day, taking goods to the rest of the country. The improvements will enable up to 47 freight trains to run every day, and each train is equivalent to taking up to 60 lorries off busy roads such as the A14, which is nearly 22,000 lorries a year.
The improvements include building an additional track and closing six level crossings in the Trimley area, in order to keep people safe and reduce delays. To continue to provide access to the countryside, a public bridleway bridge will be built and people will be diverted across the railway by either using existing routes or creating new ones. As well as making the railway safer, these changes will help to make the line more reliable for passengers travelling between Ipswich and Felixstowe.
A public information event will be held on Thursday 3rd November, between 2pm and 7pm at Trimley Sports and Social Club, High Road, Trimley St Martin, Felixstowe IP11 0RJ. Residents will be able to:
- See the plans and information
- Provide feedback
- Talk to Network Rail’s project team who can answer any questions you might have
Richard Schofield, Network Rail’s route managing director for Anglia, said: “These improvements will be a huge boost for the UK economy and make the Felixstowe branch line more reliable for passengers, as well as easing pressure on the roads that provide access to the port.
“We’re proposing changes at six level crossings in the Trimley area, and we know that public Rights of Way are important to people in this region. Where level crossings are closed, we will maintain connectivity with the countryside, and in some cases improve the Rights of Way network. I’d encourage anyone interested to come along see our plans, ask questions and share any concerns or ideas with us.”
Anyone who wants to find out more or who is unable to attend the event can contact our 24 hour helpline 03457 11 41 41 or email felixstowebranchlineproject@networkrail.co.uk.
Contact information
Katie Mack
Media relations manager (Anglia route)
Network Rail
07734 649281
Katie.Mack@networkrail.co.uk
Media relations manager (Anglia route)
Network Rail
07734 649281
Katie.Mack@networkrail.co.uk
About Network Rail
Network Rail owns, manages and develops Britain's railway - the 20,000 miles of track, 40,000 bridges and viaducts and the thousands of signals, level crossings and stations (the largest of which we also run). In partnership with train operators we help people take more than 1.65bn journeys by rail every year and move hundreds of millions of tonnes of freight, saving almost 8m lorry journeys. We employ 36,000 people across Britain and work round-the-clock, each and every day, to provide a safe, reliable railway.
About the Railway Upgrade Plan
The Railway Upgrade Plan is Network Rail's investment plan for Britain's railways. It makes up two-thirds of Network Rail's £40bn spending priorities for the five years to 2019 and represents the biggest sustained programme of rail modernisation since the Victoria era. It is designed to provide more capacity, relieve crowding and respond to the tremendous growth Britain's railways continue to experience; passenger numbers have doubled in the past 20 years and are set to double again over the next 25 years - so we need to continue to invest in building a bigger, better railway. For passengers, that means:
- longer, faster more frequent trains;
- better, more reliable infrastructure; and
- better facilities for passengers, especially at stations.
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Visit our online newsroom: www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk
Can't happen soon enough, means when arriving at Derby Road I won't have to cycle to Felixstowe, when train is cancelled at the last moment, having checked trains are running before leaving home.
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