Network Rail completes £1m bridge strengthening works
Network Rail carried out a £1m package of strengthening work to a six–span railway bridge between Ely and Littleport last week to enable the smooth running of services and prevent future delays on the line between Ely and Kings Lynn.
In just 4 days, Team Orange installed 24 steel plates to strengthen the structure and a thorough coat of paint to prevent corrosion. The bridge is a key part of the line between Ely and Kings Lynn, which carries up to 76 passenger and freight trains a day at speeds of up to 80mph. Had the work not been carried out, a speed restriction would have been imposed to protect the bridge which would have led to delays and cancellations.
The improvements were planned to take place during the half term week when fewer people travel and the five day closure allowed the work to be done quickly with less disruption for passengers. To make the most of the closure, maintenance work at level crossings and vegetation removal was also carried out.
Meliha Duymaz, Network Rail’s route managing director for Anglia, said: “This package of improvements was imperative to providing a safe, reliable and efficient service for passengers travelling between Ely and Kings Lynn as part of our Railway Upgrade Plan. I’d like to thank passengers for their patience while we carried out this essential work.”
Great Northern’s passenger services director Stuart Cheshire said: “We are grateful to our passengers for their patience during this essential work by Network Rail. We are confident that passengers will appreciate the improvements it brings as part of the modernisation of the region’s railway.”
