Railtrack plc

Work starts on Felixstowe line modernisation
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date 3 November 1997
source Railtrack plc
type Press release

The modernisation of the Felixstowe railway line is underway.

The 12 mile route, between Westerfield and Felixstowe, is about to benefit from an ?million investment by rail infrastructure owner Railtrack. All signalling equipment is to be replaced by a new system controlled from Colchester, and the short double track section at Derby Road will be extended to allow freight trains to pass each other.

The contract has been awarded to Norwich based railway engineering company, GTRM.

Engineers are now on site putting together the detailed design for the new signalling system. Major physical work will start in the spring and be complete in June 1999. The major works will take place during winter Sundays and Bank Holiday weekends to cause the minimum disruption to the normal running of the line.

The project will include the installation of modern fibre optic cables and new signals. The line speed will be increased between Derby Road and Trimley, which will shave some minutes off current journey times. Level crossings on the route will also be updated.

Commenting on the project, Railtrack's freight manager, Vince Lucas said: "This investment will not only provide a significantly more reliable train service but will increase capacity too. This means that Anglia Railways will have the opportunity to run an hourly train service, should they wish to do so.

"Equally importantly, the work will complement Hutchison Port's plans to invest ?0 million in expanding the Port of Felixstowe.

"Improving the railway's infrastructure to attract freight off the road and onto rail is one of Railtrack's main objectives and an important part of the Government's integrated transport policy. Freightliner is already running an additional two trains a day and the company plans to increase this to sixteen once the work is complete", he said.

"The line will have the capacity to accommodate additional trains. This is excellent news for the local community as not only will they have the potential for an improved passenger service, it could help prevent the A14 from carrying even more lorries," he added.

Railhub Archive ::: 1997-11-03 RTK-003