Train schedules to and from King’s Lynn will change from Monday, August 3, as Network Rail introduces temporary speed limits due to hot weather and low rainfall that have caused the underlying peat and clay soil to shrink. The ground beneath the tracks has dropped, leaving the rails uneven in multiple locations. To ensure safe and reliable journeys, trains will run at reduced speeds on affected sections between Ely and King’s Lynn, adding four minutes to journey times. Services will depart four minutes earlier than usual, and one weekday service in each direction will be cancelled or altered. Further schedule variations are planned for weekends.
Why Is the Ground Shrinking?
A historically warm spring followed by a dry summer has led to moisture loss in the peat and clay soil that supports long sections of the railway. As the soil dries, it shrinks, causing the ground beneath the tracks to subside. This unevenness forces trains to slow down to avoid sudden disruptions and to provide passengers with greater travel certainty. Network Rail’s infrastructure director for Anglia, Joe Kennedy, said: “We’re taking action to keep running the best possible service despite the significant challenges we’re again facing this summer with our peat and clay soils.”
Engineering Repairs Underway
To fix the problems, engineers are using specialised tamping machinery to lift the tracks and pack stone ballast underneath. Maintenance teams are also distributing additional stone to restore the railway to its proper level. Last year, crews treated roughly 100 kilometres of the regional network to combat the shrinking soil conditions. Ahead of this summer, thousands of tonnes of stone ballast have already been dropped, with a total of 49,000 tonnes planned for deployment throughout 2026.
Overnight and Late-Night Disruptions
Overnight track treatment will take place on the Fen Line between Ely and King’s Lynn from Monday, August 10, to Thursday, August 13, and again from Monday, September 21, to Thursday, September 24. Replacement bus services will operate during these specific late-night periods. Additionally, early morning and overnight engineering projects will affect other routes from August 3. On the Greater Anglia network, lines between London Liverpool Street and Southend Victoria, as well as Wickford to Southminster, will see alterations after 10:45pm, with buses replacing certain trains. On Thursdays after 11:30pm, some journeys between London and Colchester will take up to six minutes longer. The c2c service will have minor alterations to several late-night train times, and the Elizabeth line will run a reduced number of trains between Gidea Park and Shenfield from 11pm until midnight on selected dates.
Passenger Guidance
These schedule revisions will appear in digital journey planners next week. Passengers are urged to check their travel plans at greateranglia.co.uk, c2c-online.co.uk, or tfl.gov.uk. Jenny Saunders, customer service director for Great Northern, expressed regret for the inconvenience: “We know many passengers will feel disappointed by further timetable changes after the challenges experienced on this route in recent weeks. I am sincerely sorry for the impact this will have on your journey.” She added that the temporary changes are necessary to prevent delays building up throughout the day and to provide a more reliable service. Network Rail Anglia will continue to monitor the tracks closely, and additional speed limits may be implemented if the dry weather persists.
