Gipsy Lane level crossing closure

Closure of the public footpath level crossing at Gipsy Lane, Needham Market.

This forms part of our ongoing commitment to deliver a safer, more efficient and reliable railway.

Gipsy level crossing

Gipsy Lane level crossing is on the Liverpool Street to Norwich line north of Needham Market station.  This section of the line has a high level of passenger train services to Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds, Cambridge and Norwich, along with freight services to Felixstowe. The crossing provides access to public footpaths and recreational walking routes adjacent to the River Gipping leading to Creeting St Mary. 

Gipsy Lane level crossing is a passive Stop, Look & Listen level crossing. There have been a number of incidents in the past, including several near misses and where a woman was struck and killed by a train in August 2011.  

Network Rail has classified Gipsy Lane level crossing as a higher risk crossing and is closing the crossing and replacing it with a new public footpath to an existing culvert.  This will eliminate the risk of pedestrians coming into contact with passing trains.   

Construction will start in July 2024 and is due to be completed by the end of the year.  The level crossing will be legally closed once the diversionary route is completed to the reasonable satisfaction of Suffolk County Council. 

Timeline 

  • Works to close crossing: July – December 2024  
  • Crossing expected to close: Early 2025 Exact date will be publicised nearer the time.  

Further Information

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