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Friday 22 Jan 2021

Emergency rail works to take place at Ingatestone to repair embankment

Region & Route:

Eastern: Anglia

Network Rail will carry out emergency works to the embankment at Ingatestone this weekend on the Great Eastern Main Line owing to damage that has closed one of the lines.

The embankment has become unstable, causing a dip in the tracks on the line out of London towards Norwich. The line from Norwich into London is still open and is being closely monitored. This means that a reduced service is running on the main line and branch line services to Clacton, Braintree, Southend, Colchester Town and Harwich are also affected.

Remedial works are ongoing and are expected to finish early next week. A further update will be sent out on Monday (25 January). Passengers are advised to check Greater Anglia’s website or app for the latest travel information. Passengers should also follow government advice and only travel for work if essential or for other legally permitted reasons.

Engineering works were already scheduled to take place on the line this weekend with a rail replacement bus service arranged between Witham and Newbury Park tube station.

Ellie Burrows, Network Rail’s route director for Anglia, said: “Our teams have been on site since last night and we will be working 24/7 to reopen the line as soon as it is safe to do so. I am sorry for the disruption this will cause to passengers. While we’ll try and keep noise to a minimum, some this work to rectify the embankment will be noisy. I am sorry if this disturbs those living close by.”

Jamie Burles, Greater Anglia Managing Director, said: “We are running a reduced timetable for all services which travel through Ingatestone. Customers should check before they travel and allow more time for their journey. We will keep our website updated with any changes to our services.

“We apologise for the inconvenience caused. Anyone who is affected by the delays can claim compensation at www.greateranglia.co.uk/delayrepay

“Government travel advice is currently to stay at home and only travel for legally permissible reasons such as work and medical appointments. Information about what we are doing to keep passengers safe during the pandemic is on our website.”

Notes to editors:

Passengers are advised to check www.greateranglia.co.uk for the latest travel information. Passengers should also follow government advice and only travel for work if essential or for other legally permitted reasons.

Clacton services

Will depart Liverpool Street on the hour and Clacton On Sea at 5 minutes past the hour. Calling at Stratford, Shenfield, Ingatestone, Chelmsford, Hatfield Peverel, Witham, Kelvedon, Marks Tey, Colchester, Wivenhoe, Thorpe Le Soken, Clacton On Sea. And the reverse order for the opposite direction.

Norwich services:

Will depart Liverpool Street at half past the hour and Norwich on the hour. Calling at Stratford, Shenfield, Ingatestone, Chelmsford, Hatfield Peverel, Witham, Kelvedon, Marks Tey, Colchester, Manningtree, Ipswich, Stowmarket, Diss, Norwich. And the reverse order for the opposite direction.

Braintree services:

A train shuttle service will be operating between Witham and Braintree

Colchester Town services:

Will be served by Colchester to Walton On The Naze trains only, operating a Saturday service. First Essex local buses will pass Greater Anglia tickets between Colchester and Colchester Town on routes 61, 62, 62B, 65, 66 

Manningtree to Harwich Town:

Will be operating on a Saturday service. Departing Manningtree on the hour, and departing Harwich 28 past the hour.