Train passengers in Ipswich, Suffolk, will see buses replace rail services as Network Rail starts essential maintenance this March. The work is designed to make the line safer and smoother for regular travellers who use the route.
The improvements take place on the weekends of 7-8 March, 14-15 March, and 21-22 March 2026. Engineers will replace century-old track with modern rails near Saxmundham to reduce the noise and rattling felt by passengers while on the train.
Other tasks include fixing the river bridges at Deben and Alde and upgrading the footbridge at Woodbridge station. Road users will also be affected, with level crossings at Bridge Road in Ufford and Farnham Road in Beversham closing while the work is carried out.
While these major works begin in March, commuters have already faced issues this week after a points failure on 26 February 2026 caused delays. Buses will run between Ipswich and Halesworth on the affected weekends, but normal train services will still operate between Halesworth and Lowestoft.
According to East Suffolk Lines, the project helps prepare the railway for more freight and passenger use in the future. Travellers are advised to allow more time for their journeys, as the replacement buses will take longer than the usual train service.
