NETWORK RAIL has been granted permission to build a new bridleway bridge and close six pedestrian level crossings on the Felixstowe branch line.
Work has already begun to create space for a 1.4km loop between Trimley and Gun Lane level crossing, to enable up to 10 additional trains to run each day to and from the Port of Felixstowe. The new bridge, for which a Transport and Works Act Order has now been granted, will be built on the site of the existing Gun Lane level crossing, allowing NR permanently to close six crossings, including Gun Lane. NR says the bridge will be built by its contractor VolkerFitzpatrick. The work also includes upgrades to four road level crossings between Trimley and Westerfield.
■ Fixing problems with a new terminal operating system at the Port of Felixstowe (p23, last month) proved more difficult than anticipated. Container line OOCL switched the UK call on its North Europe-Turkey service to Southampton from 25 August, saying it could no longer tolerate the delays experienced at the Suffolk port.
