Level crossing closures in Woodbridge

An update from County, District and Town Councillor Ruth Leach on the 9-day closure of the East Suffolk train line for major track renewals between Saturday 25th Oct and Sunday 7th Nov. There is a bus replacement service on this line between Westerfield and Halesworth.

What is being done?
The maintenance work includes routine replacement of the 100 year-old jointed track with new track which is a continuously welded rail. I am told that this will help to reduce noise and make the ride smoother, as well as replacing the very old track. They will also make improvements to the level crossing and will carry out strengthening to the railway bridges at Ufford.

To do this the railway line is closed as are some of the level crossings. This is to allow for the work to take place. It is being carried out now to take advantage of the lower traffic volumes during the midterm break and is all being done at once to reduce the length of time the rail and road closures have to be in place.

The Melton level crossing is closed and a diversion is in place. Works are running to schedule, and I am advised that the railing is in the ground at Melton and they are now working on the drainage and installing the level crossing. This level crossing is scheduled to reopen at 6am on Wednesday 29th October. 

Closures in Woodbridge:
In Woodbridge there will be level crossing closures at Haywards level crossing (Tide Mill Way), Ferry Lane level crossing (next to Andy Seedhouse Boats) and at the Jetty Lane level crossing.

At Haywards and Ferry Lane level crossings the closure is from 8pm on Wed 29th Oct until 6am on Mon 3rd Nov ( so Wed night until Mon morning).

Then at Jetty Lane it is closed from 3pm on Thurs 30/10 until 8am on Fri 31st.

To make it even more complicated the public footpath alongside the Woodbridge Boatyard near the model boat pond area is currently being resurfaced. Tomorrow (27/10) and Tuesday(28/10) it will be closed while the substrate is delivered, laid and compacted (tomorrow) and then on Tues the tarmac is expected to be laid. I expect it to reopen on Wed morning in time for the first two level crossing closures at Haywards/Ferry Lane.

(Other works in progress are dealing with the flooding and blocked pipes at the model boat pond which is progressing well.)

Please find further overnight closures in the info below.

How do I access the riverside area?

Network Rail will be on site to allow pedestrian movements over the crossing at Haywards/ Ferry Lane at 2-hour intervals: 21:00, 23:00, 01:00, 03:00, 05:00, 07:00, 09:00, 11:00, 13:00, 15:00, 17:00, 19:00. Vehicle movements are not permitted.
The railway footbridge is open and has/is undergoing repairs and maintenance to sort out the issues that we have raised.

The public footpath running past Robertsons Boatyard accessing the Deben road level crossing is open, as is this level crossing.

Please note that because of the timing of the closures and collection days there may be a delay in the emptying of dog waste bins.

I am also waiting for a response regarding noise at the Rose's development site on Melton Hill (Old council offices).

Personally I find all of this very complicated so I recommend referring to the table below and also to remind people of further very short closures in Nov and Dec (during which pedestrians and traffic will be permitted).

I would ask our lovely community to support our riverside businesses at this time, it's the midterm break and a time when they would expect to see many customers. Using the option of the two hourly escorted crossings at Haywards/Ferry lane level crossings it may be an ideal opportunity to spend some time down at the riverside enjoying a walk and seeing what the businesses have to offer! Pics were taken on Saturday.

The railway footbridge is open and has/is undergoing repairs and maintenance to sort out the issues that we have raised.

The public footpath running past Robertsons Boatyard accessing the Deben road level crossing is open, as is this level crossing.

Please note that because of the timing of the closures and collection days there may be a delay in the emptying of dog waste bins.

I am also waiting for a response regarding noise at the Rose's development site on Melton Hill (Old council offices).

Personally I find all of this very complicated so I recommend referring to the table below and also to remind people of further very short closures in Nov and Dec (during which pedestrians and traffic will be permitted).

I would ask our lovely community to support our riverside businesses at this time, it's the midterm break and a time when they would expect to see many customers. Using the option of the two hourly escorted crossings at Haywards/Ferry lane level crossings it may be an ideal opportunity to spend some time down at the riverside enjoying a walk and seeing what the businesses have to offer!