Rail repair disruption set to impact local trade

Antony Knights, who runs the Suffolk Coffee Pod, says he thinks the rail disruption could affect local trade

A mobile barista says his business will be severely impacted by ongoing railway maintenance work, adding that communication from Network Rail about it has been "really bad".

Antony Knights, from Ipswich, in Suffolk, runs Suffolk Coffee Pod and has a pitch next to Tide Mill.

Network Rail said lines between Westerfield and Halesworth would be closed for nine consecutive days from Saturday due to essential track replacements and bridge repairs - with further work continuing on several dates until December.

Mr Knights said: "I think a lot of trade is going to be lost down there as some people can not physically assess there [Tide Mill]."

Work is due to take place on rail bridges, including close to the Ufford level crossing and Beversham crossing.

Kate Snowden, from Network Rail, said: "I think we do need to make sure that in future projects we need to improve our communication."

Mr Knights runs a coffee business from his van

Speaking on BBC Radio Suffolk, Mr Knights said "the communication has been really bad" for local businesses.

"This time round it just seems dreadful really as some of the businesses were not informed, and I only found out from another source that these works were going ahead," he said.

As half term gets under way, he said: "It could have not come at a worst time really, but in a way, I am fortunate as I have managed to secure a pitch elsewhere."

'Open letter'

The main gates near the Wilford Bridge pub, on the A1152, connects Woodbridge to villages of Sutton, Bawdsey and Hollesley.

Mary-Jane King, the vice chair for Suffolk Parish Council, had written an open letter to Network Rail along with other councils.

Network Rail held a meeting with 13 councils and received "clarification on emergency vehicles" access during the closures, Ms King said.

But she said Network Rail had not "thought about all of the different impacts on those cut off" and said "better communication" was needed.

"We hope that with any future works we will be able to find some mitigation factors" and understood "the closure needed to be in place".

Track replacements and bridge repairs are being carried out during the work near Woodbridge in Suffolk

Lines between Westerfield and Halesworth are due to be closed until 2 November with further work in the area continuing on various dates until December.

Ms Snowden said the work would make the railway "much more reliable".

She said: "We had a mistake on the dates and that has been rectified, and we have spoken to a lot of people over the last few weeks and going to take back things they have said."