Sizewell Rail Programme

We are working in partnership with the Sizewell C project to renew and upgrade sections of the East Suffolk line and Sizewell branch.

Why are we upgrading the railway for Sizewell?

The Sizewell C project includes a freight management strategy, for transporting freight and materials associated with the construction of the power plant. All whilst minimising the impact on local communities and existing passenger services. To do this, the Sizewell C project is funding a series of rail projects. These will allow heavy freight trains to use the East Suffolk line between Ipswich and Saxmundham. As well as the Sizewell branch line to deliver the necessary materials to build the new power station. 

The benefits of upgrading the railway for Sizewell

These rail projects, funded by Sizewell, will facilitate the transportation of up to 60% of the construction materials required for the new power station. These materials will be transported by rail and sea, reducing the carbon footprint and the number of HGVs on local roads. As well as benefitting passenger services along the East Suffolk line as an additional benefit.

What needs to be done?

To accommodate these heavy, bulk material deliveries by rail, several upgrades are required to the existing local rail infrastructure. These include:

• Upgrading sections of track and modifying or upgrading level crossings on the East Suffolk line
• Upgrading the existing Sizewell branch line that runs from Saxmundham to Leiston
• Construction of a temporary ‘Ancillary Construction Area’ or ACA
• Construction of a temporary ‘Green Rail route’ that connects the branch line to a ‘temporary construction area’ or TCA where materials will be offloaded for use on site

What are we planning to do?

We are delivering some of the planned work as owner and operator of the national network, on behalf of the Sizewell C project. Planned Work on the East Suffolk line includes:

• Track renewals at Burnt House, Wickham Market
• Upgrade of level crossings including Darsham
• New crossover at Saxmundham junction
• New signals at Wickham Market

Some work has already been completed on the East Suffolk line, and this includes:

• New red light safety equipment camera installed at Middleton level crossing
• Track renewals completed at Bealings and Saxmundham

Work planned on the Sizewell branch line:

• Renewal of 4.5 miles of track; replacing jointed track with continuously welded rail
• Installation of a new signalling system
• Upgrade of seven level crossings with new barriers, road traffic lights and monitoring systems
• Closure of one level crossing on the Sizewell branch line (Snowdens) and one on the East Suffolk line (Uffold).

Freight Operations – Stage 1

Upon completion of the work listed above, two return freight trains per day will run transport construction materials to the ACA – currently anticipated to begin from January 2026 – within restricted hours and to minimise disruption to passenger services and at low speeds to minimise the impact to local residents at night.

Freight Operations – Stage 2

Upon completion of the Green Rail route by the Sizewell C project, freight operations will commence operation of up to four return trains per night to transport materials to the power station construction area (TCA), currently anticipated from April 2026 until the end of construction of the power station.

Completion

Upon completion of the Sizewell C power station, the Green Rail Route, TCA and ACA will be removed and the land they occupy returned to its original state by the Sizewell C project.

The upgrades to the Sizewell Branch line and East Suffolk line will remain to provide a legacy of rail infrastructure improvements for the future.

For the latest news from the Sizewell C project, please visit the Sizewell C website.

Get in touch

For more information or to get in touch with us, please contact us by visiting our contact us page or by calling our 24-hour national helpline on 03457 11 41 41.