Thanks to a programme of wheel timber renewals across four bridges near Manea, a speed restriction on the line between Ely and Peterborough has now been raised.
Trains are now able to travel at up to 75mph.
Over the past 20 months, new technology has been used to carry out inspections of softwood wheel timbers. As a result, 115 timbers on four bridges were identified as needing replacement.
Network Rail together with its contractor Taziker, has now replaced 30 wheel timbers across seven weekends. This follows work which took place at the end of 2020 to replace 57 pairs of wheel timbers across the four bridges. Network Rail says it is very important to replace any timbers to avoid further deterioration which could then lead to either speed restrictions or the closure of the line, significantly disrupting train services.
Overall, this combined work has enabled the speed of the line to be raised to 75mph on the line towards Peterborough and 50mph on the line towards Ely for passenger services, reducing delays.
Network Rail’s route director for Anglia, Ellie Burrows, said: “Passengers’ journeys are now more reliable and safer following this critical work to replace the wheel timbers on the Manea bridges. We also took great care to protect the environment in the area while carrying out the work. I know passengers haven’t been able to travel by train on this line over the last seven weekends, and I’d like to thank them for bearing with us, while we carried out the work to improve their journeys for the future.”
Network Rail and its contractors are expected to return to Manea to carry out further works on the bridges in 2022. Details will be published once plans have been finalised.
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