Media centre

Monday 25 Jan 2021

UPDATE: Emergency rail works continue at Ingatestone to repair embankment

Region & Route:

Eastern: Anglia

Emergency works to stabilise the embankment at Ingatestone on the Great Eastern Main Line is progressing well and the work is expected to be completed by Wednesday.

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 on Wednesday morning. A further update will be sent out on Tuesday (26 January) to confirm the timings. 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.

Ellie Burrows, Network Rail’s route director for Anglia, said: “We’ve been working around the clock this weekend to carry out repairs. Work is progressing well and as long as there no issues we plan to reopen the line on Wednesday morning.

“I know that this has been very disruptive for passengers and for those living nearby and I’d like to thank everyone for their patience. I’d like to say a special thank you to those who have worked with us to enable access to the site to carry out these emergency repairs.”

Jamie Burles, Greater Anglia Managing Director, said: “We would like to thank customers for their patience while engineers work to repair the railway, and we are very sorry for the inconvenience caused.

“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.

“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.