Explosives team called to rail line as trains disrupted

Passengers faced disruption after trains were cancelled when an object suspected to be unexploded ordnance was found near a rail line.

Norfolk Police was called at 09:52 BST after workers found the suspicious object near Thetford.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence said an Army explosive ordnance disposal team responded to the incident and identified the item to be a non-ammunition item, which was later reduced to scrap.

Greater Anglia trains between Norwich and Ely, including those running to Stansted Airport via Cambridge, were cancelled before services were later resumed.

"The line has now reopened, services will begin to return to normal," Greater Anglia said, adding: "Some delays and alterations may be present whilst the service recovers."

At the time of the disruption, a company spokesperson said: "Trains are unable to run between Norwich and Ely until the area has been checked and passed as safe."

Police said the A1075 has also reopened after being closed at the junction with the A11 after the discovery in Croxton, to the north of Thetford.

Passengers were told that they could use their tickets to catch trains from Ely to Stowmarket, then onto Norwich via Greater Anglia's intercity services.

Greater Anglia tickets would be accepted on local First Bus Green Line routes 14, 15 and 16 between Norwich, Wymondham and Attleborough.

People with advance timed tickets could travel on earlier or later trains if their service has been cancelled, while those whose journeys have been delayed by more than 15 minutes can claim for compensation, Greater Anglia added.

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