Late night buses to replace trains on Fen Line during engineering works
The works on the tracks will take place during late September and early October.
Network Rail will again 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. This means that services north of Cambridge will finish earlier than usual on some weeknights in late September and early October.
Following the driest spring in 50 years and prolonged dry spells this summer, Network Rail say the Fen Line is still being affected by the shrinkage of peat soil. This shrinkage has caused the track to drop in places and become uneven. As more rain falls, the ground will start to stabilise but, for now, sections of track still need to be treated to help avoid speed restrictions that would cause significant disruption for passengers.
During this summer and early autumn, Network Rail has treated about 9km of track and dropped 600 tonnes of ballast on the Fen Line. Additionally, 25,800 tonnes of ballast have been 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 past two months, engineers have treated around 55km of track and dropped 1,750 tonnes of ballast which Network Rail say will help minimise the impact on passengers.
Simon Milburn, 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.”
Jenny Saunders, Customer Services Director for Govia Thameslink Railway which runs Great Northern and Thameslink trains, said: "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.”
While track work continues on the Fen Line, services will be affected as follows.
Between Monday 29 September and Thursday 2 October 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, however 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 6 October – Thursday 9 October inclusive, and between Monday 20 October – the early morning of Friday 24 October:
On Great Northern services, buses will replace trains between Ely and King’s Lynn after 21:45