Taziker Manea Bridge Repairs
Published 21st September 2020
Taziker, working with Network Rail and train operators, have made changes to the proposed schedule of works on four bridges near to Manea Station. These changes will enable the repairs to be completed with less disruption for both freight and passengers on the Ely to Peterborough railway line.
The original plan involved the replacement of wheel timbers over four weeks of intensive work, with significant disruption to local services. This has now been replaced with a new schedule in which all works take place at weekends, avoiding inconvenience for passengers travelling on weekdays.
The Taziker team will be working on 53 pairs of wheel timbers, over four bridges, which need to be replaced urgently to keep the line safe and protect the bridges from further deterioration. Due to the condition of the bridges, there is currently a 20mph speed restriction on the line to ensure the safety of trains. Without the repairs, these timbers could deteriorate further, resulting in more speed restrictions or even the closure of the line.
“The Taziker engineering team have worked hard, with Network Rail, to find a way of delivering these urgent repairs while keeping the bulk of services running,” said Taziker Regional Director, Phil Jones “Naturally, we will be inspecting the bridges throughout the works to ensure they remain safe for all users.”
The new schedule of works covers eleven weekends, with rail replacement busses in operation:
- Sunday 6 September
- Saturday 12 – Sunday 13 September
- Saturday 19 September
- Saturday 26 – Sunday 27 September
- Saturday 3 – Sunday 4 October
- Saturday 10 – Sunday 11 October
- Sunday 25 October
- Saturday 31 October – Sunday 1 November
- Saturday 7 – Sunday 8 November
- Saturday 21 – Sunday 22 November
- Saturday 28 – Sunday 29 November
“I know this kind of late change can be frustrating for passengers, and I’m sorry for any confusion,” said Ellie Burrows, Network Rail’s route director for Anglia, after engineers agreed the new schedule. “Running a safe railway is my absolute priority, and these changes mean we can deliver the work we most urgently need to do and keep the railway open for the journeys I know so many people need and want to take by rail.”
Passengers who are planning a journey during any of the works weekends are advised to visit their rail operator’s website, Greater Anglia, Cross Country Trains or East Midlands Railway, or National Rail Enquiries, where they will find revised timetables and details of alternative services. Please note that it is not possible to take full size bicycles on rail replacement buses.
