Passengers who use the East Suffolk Rail Line between Ipswich and Lowestoft are facing months of disruption - and two weeks of total closure in the run-up to Easter - but could end up with faster services.

Network Rail has announced a series of weekend closures between Ipswich and Saxmundham between December and February as worn-out track in the Woodbridge area is replaced.

The new track will be continuously-welded and allow the new Stadler trains that run there to travel more smoothly, and potentially faster.

Although work will be concentrated on the Woodbridge area, there are other sections of the line which have old track dating back to the first half of the 20th century.

That, too, will need to be replaced over the next few years as part of the normal maintenance prorgamme - and this should enable Greater Anglia to run faster trains between Suffolk's two largest towns.

Among the work being carried out early in 2023 is stengthening an embankment between Woodbridge and Westerfield before its track is replaced later in the year.

Although the result of the work will be improved track and rides, Network Rail only describes it as maintenance because enhancing the track requires the permission of the Department of Transport.

And in the current climate getting clearence for rail enhancements is very difficult - hopes of getting major improvements to the cross-country route at Haughley and Ely are still under consideration after many years with little prospect of a quick decision.

While improved track might enable Greater Anglia to shave a few minutes off journey times on the line, major improvements would require the installation of new passing loops at Campsea Ashe and somewhere at the northern end of the line - probably at Oulton Broad South.

The Campsea Ashe loop would probably have to be provided as part of any deal to build Sizewell C if the rail link is to be used by construction trains - but the cost of building a new loop at the north end of the line would probably be prohibitive.