Abellio Greater Anglia has warned that train services between Ipswich and Peterborough are being cancelled at short notice due to “more trains than usual needing repairs”.

The operator has promised to keep customers informed of service changes between Ipswich and Peterborough, via Ely, but has warned that disruption between the two towns is expected for the rest of the week.

A statement posted onto its website read: “We continue to do all we can to restore the full timetable as quickly as possible.

“Short notice changes may still apply.”

Customers are being advised to travel on Ipswich to Cambridge services to connect with Cross Country services to travel onwards to Peterborough, with pre-booked tickets with Abellio between Ipswich and Peterborough valid on these journeys.

However, journey times could be increased by up to 60 minutes as a result.

Abellio has attributed the disruption to services to poor rail conditions this autumn causing “more than double” the average number of diesel trains returning to the yard with wheel damage.

“We will continue to update information regarding alterations to Ipswich to Peterborough services,” the statement read. “We apologise for the ongoing impact of train service cancellations affecting some of our local routes and for the inconvenience this is continuing to cause our customers.

“On average we are continuing to see two trains arrive back at the end of each day with wheel damage, more than double the rate we have experienced in previous autumn periods.

“This means that trains are having to be taken out of service for repair at a more frequent rate than previously experienced.”

The operator said that it was doing all it could to get the trains back in action as quickly as possible, including by sending affected trains to other locations where wheel repairs can be carried out sooner, seeking to hire additional trains and working with Network Rail to try and improve rail conditions to prevent further damage.

“We hope to be able to eliminate these cancellations and restore the normal service as quickly as possible,” the statement said. “However, where we continue to see poor rail conditions, the situation remains a challenging one.

“In the meantime, we are seeking to minimise the impact of the disruption by providing bus replacement and other alternative services wherever practical to cover for the cancelled train services.”

Anyone wishing to travel between Ipswich and Peterborough is urged to check journey planner or search #Peterborough on Twitter to check services before travelling.