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Norwich to stations Ipswich-London, 13th April

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ForTheLoveOf

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I've noticed that, during one of the many weekend closures on the Great Eastern Main Line on the 13th April (the closure this time being between Ipswich and Norwich), it doesn't appear possible to get an itinerary on alternative routes such as to complete the journey entirely by train (e.g. via Lowestoft). The only route I can get an itinerary on is via the Rail Replacement Buses.

The Replacement Buses take around an hour and a half, whereas travelling via, e.g., Lowestoft takes around an hour longer than that. So, perhaps for most passengers, not such an attractive option.

But what about those with bikes, or pushchairs, or similar bulky luggage? This often can't be accommodated on Replacement Buses. That means that someone with a bike for instance would think that there is no way for them to travel, at all.

In practice, I would have thought that a ticket from Norwich to stations between Ipswich and London would be accepted for travel via Lowestoft, especially if the passenger has a good reason for not wanting to take the Bus.

That then raises the question of why booking engines aren't even allowing it as a potential route. Perhaps someone with access to the industry data can work this one out.
 
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Paul Kelly

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Strange that Norwich to Ipswich isn't permitted via Lowestoft. Looks like it's been that way since Stowmarket was added as a routeing point in December 2003; before that it would have been permitted. I don't have the local knowledge to know whether it would have been considered a reasonable route before the routeing guide was introduced, though.
 

LAX54

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Would be surprised, from Norwich at least, that tickets would be available via Cambridge too ?
 

Sleepy

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Via Cambridge is the option many take when GE mainline is not open. Walk up tickets from Norwich are valid to Kings Cross or Liverpool St.
 

Kite159

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Strange that Norwich to Ipswich isn't permitted via Lowestoft. Looks like it's been that way since Stowmarket was added as a routeing point in December 2003; before that it would have been permitted. I don't have the local knowledge to know whether it would have been considered a reasonable route before the routeing guide was introduced, though.

Probably not that reasonable, direct route takes around 40 minutes. Norwich to Lowestoft takes between 37 & 45 minutes itself, then add on 90 minutes for the slow trip to Ipswich from Lowestoft, and that is now when those services are hourly.

Add on the GA DMU generator which throws out anything between a 153 to a 3-coach 170 on that route.
 
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