Weeknight engineering work between Cambridge – Ely – King’s Lynn this autumn to keep trains running safely and reliably

Network Rail will be carrying out extra late-night engineering work on the Fen Line between Cambridge and King’s Lynn to improve the condition of the track, meaning that services north of Cambridge will finish earlier than usual on some weeknights in late September and October.

Following the driest spring in 50 years and prolonged dry spells this summer, the Fen Line is still being affected by the shrinkage of peat soil, which has caused the track to drop in places and become uneven.

The ground will start to stabilise as more rain falls, but for now sections of track still need to be treated to help avoid speed restrictions that would cause significant disruption for passengers.

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

New ballast will also be dropped where it’s needed to help raise the level of the track.

Already this summer and early autumn, Network Rail has made the most of extra engineering hours on the Fen Line to treat about 9km of track and drop 600 tonnes of ballast.

This is in addition to the 25,800 tonnes of ballast dropped on the route in the past two years to prepare for prolonged dry spells like the one this year.

Across the East Anglia railway in the last two months, engineers have treated around 55km of track and dropped 1,750 tonnes of ballast to help minimise the impact on passengers. 

Simon Milburn, the infrastructure director for Network Rail Anglia, said: “Thank you so much to passengers on the Fen Line – and across the region – for bearing with us this summer and autumn.

“Our teams are working really hard to limit the need for much more disruptive service changes by treating long stretches of affected track.”

And Jenny Saunders, the customer services director for Govia Thameslink Railway, which runs Great Northern and Thameslink trains, added: “I’m very sorry that some of our passengers will be affected by these engineering works. They are vital to ensure the continued safety and reliability of our services.”

As track work continues on the Fen Line, services will be affected as follows.

Between Monday, September 29, and Thursday, October 2, inclusive: After approximately 23.00 buses will replace trains between Cambridge and Ely, with a shuttle train service operating between Ely and King’s Lynn. For Great Northern on the affected evenings:

• The last direct northbound train from London King’s Cross to Ely and King’s Lynn will depart at 21.39;
• The last direct train from King’s Lynn to London King’s Cross will depart at 21.42. Note, this is the last service that provides a connection to London;
• The last train from King’s Lynn at 22.42 will run as far as Ely. From there a replacement bus will run to Cambridge, but this will not arrive in time for an onward connection towards London;
• The last direct train from Ely to London King’s Cross will depart at 22.48. Buses will run to Cambridge after this time;
• The 22.09 service from London King’s Cross will terminate at Cambridge rather than Ely;
• The 22:39 and the following service from London King’s Cross – which is at 23.09 on Monday and Tuesday and at 23.07 on Wednesday and Thursday – will terminate at Cambridge rather than King’s Lynn. The last replacement bus from Cambridge will be extended up to King’s Lynn.

On Greater Anglia:

• The 22.40 Norwich to Cambridge service is replaced by a bus between Ely and Cambridge

Between Monday and Thursday, October 6 and 9 inclusive, and between Monday and Friday, October 20 and 24:

• On Great Northern services, buses will replace trains between Ely and King’s Lynn after 21.45.