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Wednesday 10 Dec 2025

Essential weekend engineering works on Essex Thameside line planned to maintain reliability for passengers

Region & Route:

Eastern: Anglia

Network Rail teams will be carrying out essential maintenance on the Essex Thameside line over several weekends in January and February 2026. These works are aimed at keeping the railway safe, reliable, and comfortable for passengers.

Passengers planning to use c2c services during specific weekends in January and February are being encouraged to check before they travel and to leave extra time to complete their journeys.

Engineering work will take place on weekends along the Essex Thameside line, including significant maintenance of the railway and stations:

• Preparatory work at Chalkwell and Southend East stations ahead of new lifts being installed to improve accessibility for all passengers.
• Repairs and maintenance at Leigh-on-Sea, Grays, Barking, and Rainham stations to enhance safety and reliability.
• Track maintenance between Leigh-on-Sea and Shoeburyness to make journeys smoother and safer.
• Re-railing at multiple locations to maintain track stability and reduce delays.

Simon Milburn, Network Rail Anglia infrastructure director said:
"These works will deliver a range of vital improvements from station upgrades to infrastructure maintenance, but I know this will cause some disruption for passengers, so I'd like to thank everyone for their understanding and patience as we carry out these essential improvements to improve services across Essex Thameside." 

Rail replacement buses will be in operation on parts of the c2c network on the following weekends:

Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 January
Sunday 18 January
Sunday 25 January
Saturday 31 January and Sunday 1 February
Sunday 8 February
Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 February
Sunday 22 February

Travel information and service alterations:
Passengers are encouraged to check their journey plans before travelling with National Rail Enquiries or via the c2c website. Alternative train services may be busier than usual, and passengers should allow extra time for their journey.

Saturday 3 – Sunday 4 January
Services will start and terminate at Fenchurch Street and Leigh-on-Sea, calling at West Ham but not Stratford. Rail replacement buses will operate between Leigh-on-Sea and Shoeburyness. Passengers with monthly or longer season tickets may use Greater Anglia services between Southend Victoria and London Liverpool Street.

Sunday 18 January
Basildon line services will be diverted via Rainham and will not call at Upminster, West Horndon, Laindon, or Basildon. Rail replacement shuttles will run between Upminster and Pitsea via Laindon.

Ockendon line services will run as shuttles between Upminster and Grays, with changes required at Upminster or Grays for London and Southend services.

Rainham line services will be diverted to Fenchurch Street via Stratford, not calling at West Ham, and extended to Shoeburyness. Ticket acceptance is in place on the District line, Jubilee line, and DLR.

Sunday 25 January
Basildon line services will be diverted to Fenchurch Street, calling at West Ham but not Stratford, with ticket acceptance on the Jubilee line.

Ockendon line services will not run, with rail replacement buses operating between Upminster and Pitsea.

Rainham line services will not run, with rail replacement buses between Upminster, Rainham, Purfleet, and Grays. Passengers for Dagenham Dock have ticket acceptance on TfL bus services EL2 and 287.

Saturday 31 January – Sunday 1 February
Services will be diverted via Rainham between Upminster and Pitsea, calling at Liverpool Street and Stratford during peak times.
Rail replacement buses will operate between Upminster and Pitsea, with ticket acceptance on the Jubilee line.

Sunday 8 February
Basildon line services will be diverted via Rainham between Upminster and Leigh-on-Sea. Rail replacement shuttles will run between Leigh-on-Sea and Shoeburyness.

Ockendon line services will start and terminate at Grays, with Rainham services extended to Stanford-le-Hope. Rail replacement buses will operate between Stanford-le-Hope, Pitsea, and Leigh-on-Sea.

Saturday 14 – Sunday 15 February
Services will start and terminate at Fenchurch Street and Leigh-on-Sea, calling at West Ham but not Stratford. Rail replacement buses will operate between Leigh-on-Sea and Shoeburyness.

Sunday 22 February
Basildon line services will be diverted to Liverpool Street, calling at Stratford but not Limehouse or West Ham. Rail replacement buses will operate as needed, with ticket acceptance on the District line, Jubilee line, and DLR.

Ockendon line services will run as shuttles between Upminster and Grays.

Rainham line services will be diverted to Liverpool Street via Stratford and extended to Shoeburyness.