Media centre

Monday 2 Nov 2020

Fewer delays for rail passengers in Essex

Region & Route:

Eastern: Anglia

To improve rail journeys for passengers, Network Rail has replaced track, sleepers and ballast on the branch line between Alresford and Great Bentley, and installed overhead line structures and foundations as part of major upgrade works to the signalling system in the Clacton-on-Sea area.

Nearly 1200 metres of track has been replaced along with 740 sleepers and 3720 tons of ballast which means fewer delays and cancellations for passengers.

A major upgrade to modernise the signalling system in the Clacton-on-Sea area is underway; with 13 new structures, supporting 6000m of new overhead electric cables, a new power supply and foundations have been installed.

The railway around Clacton-on-Sea is being modernised with a new computer-based signalling system which will control the movement of trains more effectively and also provide better live passenger information.

This will replace the current system which uses mechanical levers and pullies to change signals and track points, to allow trains to switch between tracks. The new system will be controlled from a powered signal box at Colchester. 

Network Rail will be carrying out intensive works on the project for 23 days from Saturday 20 February to Sunday 14 March.

A rail replacement bus service will be in operation between Clacton-on-Sea/Walton-on-the-Naze and Colchester Town on Saturday 20 and 27 February and 6 and 13 March, and between Clacton-on-Sea/Walton-on-the-Naze and Colchester on Sunday 21 and 28 February and 7 and 14 March.

Mid-week during the intensive works there will be Monday to Friday rail replacement bus service between Clacton and Frinton-on-Sea. Trains will run between Walton-on-the-Naze and London.

Ellie Burrows, Network Rail’s route director for Anglia, said: “Keeping the tracks in good condition is vital to running a safe and reliable railway for our passengers and that is exactly what we’re here to do.

“The track replacement work complements our re-signalling programme and ultimately helps us reduce the number of delays and cancellations passengers experience on their journeys in this region.

“I know that not having the usual train service over 23 days will be difficult for passengers and I’m sorry for the inconvenience this will cause, however, completing these large-scale projects and planned maintenance works in one coordinated effort, will help reduce the overall amount of disruption in future.”

Jamie Burles, Greater Anglia managing director, said: “Together with Network Rail, we’re transforming the railway in our region, as they’re upgrading the signals and track while we’re introducing brand new trains.

“We appreciate these works cause some inconvenience to customers, but we will make sure that everyone can still complete their journey, even if part of it is by bus.”

The track renewals and preparatory work started on 12 September and was completed over several weekends, finishing on the 25 October.