Words in [single square brackets] included hyperlinks in the original document
Words in [[double square brackets]] are editorial additions or corrections
Words in [[[triple square brackets]]] indicate embedded images or graphics in the original document. (These are not usually archived unless they contain significant additional information.)
Railtrack gives green light to Felixstowe line upgrade
date 20 February 1997 source Railtrack plc type Press release
The modernisation of the Ipswich-Felixstowe railway line is on the way.
Railtrack, the rail infrastructure owner, has announced it is to upgrade the line, investing around £6 million in new high-tech signalling and changes to track. The investment will improve the line's reliability and allow more trains to use the 15 mile route.
Once modernised the line will provide train operator Anglia Railways with the facility to run an hourly passenger service throughout the day and late into the evening, should they wish to do so.
The project will compliment the expanded container facilities at the Port of Felixstowe. Enabling more freight trains to use the line is an important part of the project and the double track section at Derby Road will be extended to allow these trains to pass each other.
The line currently suffers from out-dated signalling equipment, prone to breaking down and difficult and time-consuming to maintain. The new system will use the latest fibre-optic technology and will provide travellers with a very reliable train service.
Railtrack is anxious to ensure that travellers will not be too inconvenienced whilst work is going on and will be investigating ways of installing the new equipment that will cause the least possible disruption.
Design work will be starting immediately and Railtrack expects work to begin on site in spring 1998, with work taking around twelve months to complete.
Announcing the work, Railtrack East Anglia director Michael Holden said:- "This is excellent news for rail users and shows our commitment to updating the rail infrastructure."
"It also demonstrates our commitment to getting freight back onto rail. The improved freight capacity could ultimately reduce the number of heavy lorries on East Anglia's roads and that must make good environmental sense too."
