Media centre

Friday 24 Jan 2020

Major track upgrade for Norwich to London rail passengers begins this weekend

Region & Route:

Eastern: Anglia

Network Rail will be working at Maryland on the main line from Norwich to London this weekend to renew track which will result in fewer delays and increased reliability.

Over a total of nine weekends, engineers will carry out the following work:

• replace track and points at Maryland to improve punctuality and reliability
• overhead wire power upgrades for new trains
• work at Ilford to improve drainage

Over time, track becomes worn from constant use, especially at this key junction on the busy main line, and needs to be replaced to keep services on the move to improve reliability.

Ellie Burrows, Network Rail’s route director for Anglia, said: “This is a very busy section of the network which sees hundreds of trains every day that our passengers rely on. This work will help us to maintain a safer and more reliable railway for passengers by reducing the number of train services affected by delays and cancellations.”

Jamie Burles, Greater Anglia managing director said: “We are very sorry about the inconvenience these works cause to passengers. We will make sure that all customers can complete their journey, even if part of it is by bus.

“This work is essential so that, together with Network Rail, we can improve punctuality and reliability on our railway.”

A rail replacement service will run while the work takes place.

Notes to editors

The rail replacement service will be in place between Ingatestone and Newbury Park for the Central line on the following weekends:

25 – 26 January

15 – 16 February

22 – 23 February

29 February – 1 March

7 – 8 March

14 – 15 March

21 – 22 March

28 – 29 March

18 – 19 April

More details can be found at www.greateranglia.co.uk