Work to take place at night on rail line linking Ely with King’s Lynn

Late night engineering work is set to be carried out next week on the Fen Line  which links Ely with King’s Lynn.

Network Rail is carrying out the project between the evening of Monday, July28, and the morning of Friday, August 1, with buses replacing trains from 9pm on Great Northern services.

Engineers will be working to improve the condition of the track, which is being affected by the driest spring in more than 50 years.

The peat soil underneath the Fen Line has shrunk following the prolonged spell of dry weather, causing the track to drop in places and become uneven.

Wherever necessary, speed restrictions are put in place to keep trains running safely, but services sometimes need to be amended or reduced because of the longer journey times.

The aim of the work being carried out by Network Rail next week on the Fen Line is to try to limit the effects on Great Northern services.

Engineers will use machines called tampers (pictured above) to lift the track, push ballast underneath and create a solid foundation so that trains can run smoothly.

This type of work was already planned for next week, with train services finishing earlier, but tamping will now be taking place for around an extra hour each night to make the maximum impact.

In the last two years, Network Rail has dropped 25,800 tonnes of ballast on this part of the line to try to minimise the effects of peat shrinkage, but an exceptionally dry spring this year has meant that it hasn’t been possible to eliminate track issues. 

Engineers will be continuing to monitor the Fen Line track closely over the coming weeks.

Passengers will be advised of any further changes to services that might be needed to keep everyone moving safely.

The effects on Great Northern services of next week’s work are as follows:

• The last train to King’s Lynn will be the 19.39 service from London King’s Cross;
• The last train from King’s Lynn will be the 20.42 service to London King’s Cross;
• The first service to depart King’s Lynn each morning will be the 05.14 service to London King’s Cross

Passengers should check journeys, including bus replacement details, before they travel: greatnorthernrail.com / nationalrail.co.uk

Simon Milburn, the infrastructure director for Network Rail Anglia, said: “We’re really sorry for the disruption at night next week, but we need the extra time to get the track in a better condition.

“Our teams are working hard to keep running the best possible service for Fen Line passengers, even with the significant challenges we face with peat soil following prolonged dry spells. Thank you to everyone for bearing with us.” 

And Jenny Saunders, the customer service director for Great Northern, added: “I’m very sorry to passengers who will be affected by these engineering works.

“It is vital this happens soon to ensure the safety, and reliability of services running on the Fen Line.

“Please plan ahead and check your journey on the Great Northern website before you travel, as the first and last trains each day between King’s Cross and King’s Lynn will be at a different time.”