Closures planned to help East Anglian bridge upgrades

NETWORK Rail is to upgrade the electrical and mechanical systems of three East Anglian swing bridges this autumn, including a route closure for nine consecutive days in late October.

The bridges at Reedham, Somerleyton and Oulton Broad carry trains over waterways but swing open to let boats pass. They are all over 100 years old and their internal parts have become unreliable.

During the project, Network Rail’s engineers will replace these parts, making the bridges less likely to develop faults and reducing the need for costly maintenance.

A bus replacement service ran between Norwich and Lowestoft on September 24/25, with further closures due on October 8/9 and 22-30.

October 22/23 will also see buses replace trains on the East Suffolk line between Halesworth and Lowestoft.

Further work will then be needed in spring 2023.

MEL ATKINSON Both: An organised visit to Somerleyton on September 10 allowed members of the public to see the inner workings of the signal box and swing bridge, including trains passing over the bridge and it being opened for boats on the River Waveney.