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Busy rail crossing to close for Sizewell C works

Ben ParkerSuffolk
Google The rail crossing at Melton. Warning lights are either side of the road, with raised barriers either end of the crossing. The road is in the middle of the image with a rail line crossing it. Either side of the road are trees.Google
The crossing at Melton is used regularly by people travelling to and from villages in east Suffolk

A busy rail crossing is set to be closed over two weekends to allow for improvement works related to the Sizewell C project.

The level crossing in Melton, Suffolk, is due to be shut overnight this Saturday and Sunday, and 30 and 31 May.

Network Rail said "train detection technology" would be installed to make the crossing safer, with the number of freight trains expected to increase, to supply the construction of the new nuclear power station at Sizewell.

After an ambulance briefly became stuck on a crossing during a previous closure, the East of England Ambulance Service said it would ensure an additional vehicle was stationed to the east of the track during the works.

Speaking about the incident in October, the East of England Ambulance Service said it still managed to "reach the patient well within our target response time".

Network Rail said: "During the closures, there will be no vehicular or pedestrian access across the railway."

A diversion route has been put in place, which would see vehicles crossing the rail line, around eight miles away at Campsea Ashe.

Full list of closures :

  • From 22:00 BST on 23 May until 08:00 the next morning
  • From 22:00 on 24 May until 07:00 the next morning
  • From 21:00 on 30 May until 08:00 the next morning
  • From 21:00 on 31 May until 07:00 the next morning
James Mallinder James Mallinder wearing a dark vest over a pink shirt standing in front of some bushes with Melton railway station in the background.James Mallinder
James Mallinder said he wanted to see "round-the clock" work during the closures

Local Conservative councillor, James Mallinder, has called for "precise diversion routing and minimal disruption" during the closure.

He said: "We cannot allow a repeat of previous disruptions where a lack of adequate advance signage turned narrow country lanes into chaotic rat-runs, damaging verges and delaying emergency access."

"I am actively pushing for continuous, round-the-clock working shifts during these active hours to ensure the road opens promptly each morning."

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