GBR Anglia plans to treat more than 100,000 miles of track across East Anglia and parts of London this autumn and winter. Network Rail’s 11 November update reports that 28,419 miles of treatment had been completed. Specialist trains use high-pressure water jets to clear the leaf residue that can reduce wheel-to-rail grip.
United KingdomThe programme also includes drainage inspections and maintenance, vegetation management and monitoring of vulnerable infrastructure. The update identifies the Fen Line between Ely and King’s Lynn and flood-prone areas around Stowmarket among the locations receiving attention.
Why it matters
The treatment mileage describes repeated maintenance passes across the network. Drainage and vegetation work tackle other seasonal risks alongside rail cleaning, giving the programme several ways to reduce disruption as conditions change.
Network Rail update, 11 November 2026
Featured photograph. A rail head treatment train at Hatfield Peverell, Essex, in October 2025. Photo: kitmasterbloke (CC BY 4.0).
