Track renewal work affecting Fen Line trains this October

Network Rail has issued the following press release about engineering work that will affect Great Northern and Thameslink trains as well as other train operators

Passengers travelling through parts of north Cambridgeshire and Norfolk should check before travelling as engineering work will be taking place in the Ely area from October to mid-November.

Extensive track renewals between Ely North junction and Chettisham will include 1500 metres of new track, ballast and sleepers as well as replacing three sets of points which allow trains to change between tracks. This track renewal work between Ely North junction and Chettisham is vital to maintain the safe and efficient operation of the railway in this busy part of the network.

Other work taking place includes new rail near Waterbeach, new signalling equipment being installed, track tamping at Ely station and general maintenance of the rail equipment. This work will affect passengers using Greater Anglia, Great Northern, Thameslink, CrossCounty and East Midlands Railway services on the following weekend dates:

• Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 October
  • On Saturday, rail services will be affected between Cambridge and Peterborough and King’s Lynn via Ely. Train services will run between Ely and Norwich.
  • On Sunday rail services will be affected between Ely and Peterborough, and Norwich. A revised train service will operate between Ely and King’s Lynn.

• Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 October
  • Rail services will be affected between Ely and Peterborough, King’s Lynn and Norwich for the weekend.

• Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 October
  • Rail services will be affected between Cambridge North and Peterborough, King’s Lynn and Thetford for the weekend.

• Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 October
  • Rail services will be affected between Cambridge North and Peterborough, King’s Lynn and Thetford for the weekend.

• Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 November
  • Rail services will be affected between Cambridge North and Peterborough, King’s Lynn and Thetford for the weekend.

• Sunday 16 November
  • Rail services will be affected between Ely and Peterborough.

Rail replacement services will operate between affected stations to allow passengers to complete their journey on these dates. Some rail journeys may need to be completed by a different rail operator. For example CrossCountry passengers travelling to Stansted Airport will be able to use their tickets on other services at no extra cost during these weekends. Please check ticket acceptance with other operators.

Extra time should be allowed to complete any journey and passengers are advised to check before travelling with their rail operator or on nationalrail.co.uk.

Level crossing closures on Ely Road (B1382) and Lynn Road (Chettisham)

This engineering work will require weekend closures of level crossings on Ely Road in Queen Adelaide (Ely- Peterborough crossing) and on Lynn Road near Chettisham. The level crossings will be closed each weekend from Saturday 4 October to Sunday 16 November. The level crossing closures will usually start at 22:00hrs on the Friday night and last until 06:00hrs on the following Monday. Road diversions will be in place with signage each weekend to help road users navigate around the crossing closures.

Non-highway level crossings

Other non-highway crossings affected include Clayway and Second Drove crossings between Queen Adelaide and Lynn Road which will temporarily impact the public right of way each weekend from Saturday 4 October to Sunday 16 November. Private users and public recreational walkers should use alternative routes during these weekends.

Katie Frost, Network Rail’s route director for Anglia said: "Busy areas of the network can see more wear of the rails through extensive use by passenger and freight services. The track between Ely North junction and Manae experiences a lot of use and this autumn we’re planning to renew over 1500 metres of track to keep services moving safety.

"These engineering works will, unfortunately cause some disruption to weekend services and road users, however the longer time on the track will give our engineers the opportunity to complete this work safely and more efficiently."

A rail industry spokesperson for rail operators said: “Network Rail will be carrying out important track renewal work in a heavily used area to keep services running safely.

“Rail replacement services will run while these works take place to allow passengers using Greater Anglia, Great Northern, CrossCountry and East Midlands Railway services to complete their journeys.

“We’re advising all passengers check before they travel and allow more time for their journey. "We would like to thank all our customers for their patience and understanding while this work is carried out.”