The Felixstowe doubling scheme has been approved by the Secretary of State for Transport.
The £60.4 million scheme will enable up to 47 freight trains per day to run on the branch from Felixstowe, an increase of 14 per day. The work will be completed in summer 2019, with extra passenger trains able to run from December 2019. Network Rail said that additional freight trains will start running from spring 2019 on the route.
A second track will be installed between Trimley station and Grimston Lane foot crossing. Network Rail will deliver the project, and in the coming months will start vegetation clearing ahead of construction.
Network Rail’s Anglia Route Managing Director Meliha Duymaz said: “We’re supporting the growth of the UK economy by enabling more goods to be transported on the railway and reducing the number of lorries on the road.”
Funding comes via the Strategic Freight Network, with Hutchison Ports UK paying a contribution. NR has also submitted a Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) to close six level crossings as part of the project. A public inquiry will be held next year. Four level crossings will also be upgraded.
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AndrewJGwilt1989 - 03/10/2017 12:29
About time too. Except it will not see overhead wires extended to Felixstowe as the electrification isn't necessary.
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Simon Eames1990 - 03/10/2017 22:13
Good news. How about redoubling the line between Dorchester South and Moreton?
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Richard - 28/06/2018 03:13
Its long overdue. Also a chord from just east of Dorchester South to just north of Dorchester West, Opening up a route from Poole or Bournemouth to the west country and Bristol. It would also shorten the route for the freight from Merehead and Whatley quarries going to Hamworthy quay
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William Chucas - 04/08/2019 17:27
I 100% agree. That seriously needs to happen. Redoubling the line between Moreton and Dorchester South would bring faster trains to and from Weymouth and ease congestion.
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AndrewJGwilt1989 - 04/10/2017 10:44
Why not allow Class 88’s to operate to & from Felixstowe as they can run on 25kv overhead as far as Ipswich then switch to diesel to Felixstowe and then turn back to Ipswich and swap back to electric as to continue to it’s freight duties as they are Bi-Mode locomotives.
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FrankH - 04/10/2017 22:15
88's only have 950 hp on diesel, not enough power.
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BigTone - 05/10/2017 13:57
Also most trains turn Northwards towards Peterborough, most of that route is not wired. Peterborough to Nuneaton, not wired nor is Peterborough to Doncaster via Lincoln
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Gizzy - 05/10/2017 15:36
Most of the trains from Felixstowe are now routed via Bury St Edmunds, Ely and Peterborough, which is not an electrified route. Onwards from Peterborough, again most of the routes these trains take are not wired either....
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FrankH - 07/10/2017 13:00
This is not the whole branch that's being doubled, it's about 1.5 miles towards Ipswich only. Then there's 6 mile single track to short of Derby Road station with a section of double track ( a mile or so) then back to single again to Westerfield where it meets the line from Lowestoft. It's a passing loop that's being made so a train can go out of the South or North terminal while one waits to go in. Prior to this they had to wait at Derby Road loop 8 miles along the branch.
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Cundalini - 09/10/2017 16:11
But no Soham - Ely doubling ! Why not
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Gizzy - 12/10/2017 09:32
It will happen one day, as will the work for Ely North Junction....
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