Greater Anglia is advising festival-goers attending Sundown in Norfolk to plan ahead and consider alternative travel arrangements, as industrial action is set to severely disrupt rail services. Strikes have been called by the RMT trade union on Saturday 26 August and Saturday 2 September, along with strike action by the ASLEF trade union on Friday 1 September and action short of a strike by ASLEF members on Saturday 2 September, meaning fewer services will run across the Greater Anglia network. Engineering works will also be taking place on some routes. As a result, people travelling to Sundown Festival on Saturday 2 September are encouraged to plan their journey in advance and find alternative transport. A very limited rail replacement bus service will run between Ipswich and Norwich all day on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 September. However it is expected to be very busy. Hourly non-stop buses will operate between Ipswich and Norwich, taking approximately 90 minutes. Hourly ‘stopper’ buses will operate between Ipswich and Norwich via Stowmarket and Diss, taking approximately 2 hours. Extra staff will be on hand at Ipswich and Norwich to help customers with their journeys. James Steward, Greater Anglia’s Area Customer Service Manager, said: “We always want to support local events where possible. However, due to industrial action and engineering works over this weekend, we are advising customers to please plan ahead and consider alternative travel arrangements. “A limited rail replacement service will run, and passengers are advised to check before they travel and allow more time for their journey. These buses will be extremely busy, and we are advising anyone attending Sundown festival to consider alternative travel arrangements.” Customers are also advised to check before they travel this autumn. Buses will replace trains between Ipswich and Norwich and Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds on the Ipswich – Cambridge/Peterborough line over the following weekends:
- Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 September
- Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 September
- Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 September
- Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 September
- Saturday 30 September and Sunday 1 October
Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 November