This box controls the section of the East Suffolk Line between Woodbridge and Oulton Broad, including the Sizewell branch. A major part of the signalman's duty is to respond to telephone calls from the numerous unmanned crossings along the route.
The line was resignalled in October 2012, with a conventional signalling system using LED signals (as shown in
TM3863 : New signals at Saxmundham station), and modern displays and controls. The licence for the old Radio Electronic Token Block (RETB) system was withdrawn, due to possible interference with television systems on the continent. Hence, the radio mast behind the box has disappeared.
The new signalling system, together with a new passing loop at Beccles, has enabled an hourly service to be introduced along the whole line.
The box remains in use for the time being, to monitor the two local level crossings. It is understood that the box will close when the level crossings are upgraded and fitted with CCTV.