New Felixstowe rail line reduces freight journey times

The Port of Felixstowe will officially open the “Ipswich Chord” next Monday March 31 which will reduce rail freight journey times to and from the port by one hour in each direction.

The chord provides a new 1.2km double track railway linking the Great Eastern Main Line with the East Suffolk Line enabling freight trains to link directly with the Felixstowe to Nuneaton route without having to turn around at Ipswich Yard.

The direct link provides a significant increase in capacity by enabling trains to run at higher speeds without the length constraints associated with Ipswich Yard. It also reduces the safety risks associated with unnecessary yard operations and train reconfigurations.