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Rail lines around Ely, Cambridge, Norwich and Peterborough close on five October weekends for engineering work, with the biggest weekend on 17 and 18 October, when all lines between Peterborough and Ely shut, according to Network Rail’s announcement of 21 September.
Rail replacement buses run on the closed sections. Greater Anglia, Great Northern, CrossCountry and East Midlands Railway services are affected, and on Sunday 25 October the Cambridge to Stansted Airport line is part of the work.
For anyone travelling across East Anglia in October, including to Stansted from Cambridge, the useful step now is to check which weekend your trip falls on. Deep Arrival also covered the East Coast weekend closures north of Newcastle this autumn.
- 3 to 4 October: Ely to Norwich, buses replace trains.
- 10 to 11 October: Thetford to Cambridge North, Cambridge North to King’s Lynn, Bury St Edmunds to Peterborough.
- 17 to 18 October: all lines Peterborough to Ely closed; Cambridge to King’s Lynn and Peterborough to Norwich affected.
- Sunday 25 October: Cambridge North to Audley End, Cambridge to Stansted Airport and Cambridge to Royston.
- 31 October to 1 November: Cambridge North to King’s Lynn and Ely, Ely to Peterborough, Peterborough to Norwich.
Five Weekends of Closures Around Ely
Network Rail, writing as GBR Anglia, set out the programme on 21 September. Each weekend closes different sections, so the effect on a journey depends on the date.
On Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 October, rail replacement buses run between Ely and Norwich, calling at the affected stations, with Greater Anglia services changed.
On 10 and 11 October, the closures move south and west: Thetford to Cambridge North, Cambridge North to King’s Lynn, and Bury St Edmunds to Peterborough. Network Rail says Greater Anglia trains continue between Norwich and Thetford, Cambridge and Stansted Airport, and Ipswich and Cambridge.
The last weekend, 31 October and 1 November, closes Cambridge North to King’s Lynn and to Ely, Ely to Peterborough and Peterborough to Norwich. Greater Anglia services continue between Norwich and Ely, Cambridge and Stansted, and on Ipswich routes, according to Network Rail.
Peterborough to Ely Shut on 17 and 18 October
The weekend of 17 and 18 October has the widest effect, because Peterborough to Ely is the link between the East Coast Main Line and East Anglia.
National Rail’s notice for that weekend says engineering work closes all lines between Peterborough and Ely. CrossCountry buses replace trains between the two. East Midlands Railway runs no trains between Peterborough and Norwich, with buses instead and an amended service from Nottingham to Peterborough.
Greater Anglia buses replace trains between Peterborough or Cambridge and Ely, and Great Northern buses replace trains between Cambridge and King’s Lynn. Greater Anglia trains still run from Ely towards Ipswich, Norwich, Stansted Airport and Cambridge North, National Rail says.
National Rail warns that replacement vehicles may be busier than usual and advises allowing extra time.
Cambridge to Stansted Airport on Sunday 25 October
On Sunday 25 October, the work is south of Cambridge. Network Rail lists Cambridge North to Audley End, Cambridge to Stansted Airport and Cambridge to Royston, with Greater Anglia and Great Northern running a modified service.
That matters for anyone flying from Stansted that Sunday from Cambridge or further north. The announcement does not give the replacement bus times, so check the journey planner before relying on a train to the airport.
Trains from London Liverpool Street to Stansted use a different route and are not named in the Cambridge closures.
Overnight Closures Between Ely and King’s Lynn
There is also weeknight work. National Rail lists overnight closures between Ely and King’s Lynn from Monday 19 to Thursday 22 October, with Great Northern buses replacing trains after 21:45 each night.
For a late evening trip to King’s Lynn from Cambridge or London King’s Cross that week, expect a bus for the last part of the journey.
Why the Lines Are Closing
The work includes resignalling between Cambridge North and Ely, renewing and repairing points and crossovers, track maintenance and rerailing, station work at Wymondham, bridge timber renewals, overhead line maintenance, and drainage and vegetation work.
“This autumn we’re continuing to invest in railway infrastructure, delivering vital work to keep services operating safely and reliably,” said Martin Beable, chief operating officer of GBR Anglia.
The full list is in Network Rail’s announcement, and the National Rail notice for 17 and 18 October sets out the operator by operator changes. Detailed notices for the other weekends may appear closer to each date.
| If you are travelling… | What to do |
|---|---|
| Ely to Norwich on 3 or 4 October | Take the replacement bus. Allow extra time. |
| Peterborough to Ely or Norwich on 17 or 18 October | Buses replace CrossCountry, EMR and Greater Anglia trains. |
| Cambridge to Stansted Airport on Sunday 25 October | Check the modified service before you fly. |
| Ely to King’s Lynn late on 19 to 22 October | Expect a bus after 21:45. |
| On a date not listed | These closures do not apply. |
Five weekends. Different sections close on 3 to 4, 10 to 11, 17 to 18, 25, and 31 October to 1 November.
Biggest weekend. Peterborough to Ely is shut on 17 and 18 October.
Airport link. Cambridge to Stansted is affected on Sunday 25 October.
When are the Ely rail closures in October 2026?
On 3 to 4, 10 to 11, 17 to 18, and 25 October, and 31 October to 1 November, with different sections each time.
Is Peterborough to Ely closed?
Yes, all lines on 17 and 18 October, and again on 31 October and 1 November, with buses replacing trains.
Can I get the train from Cambridge to Stansted on 25 October?
Network Rail lists the line in that day’s work with a modified service. Check the journey planner before travelling.
Why is the work happening?
Resignalling between Cambridge North and Ely, track and points renewals, and other maintenance.
