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Monday 19 Mar 2018

Network Rail engineers work non-stop to reopen Clacton on Sea branch line

Region & Route:

Eastern: Anglia

| Eastern

The Clacton on Sea branch line reopened for a full service this morning (Monday 19 March)following repairs after a landslip last week.

On Thursday 14 March, a landslip at Thorrington caused extensive damage to the railway line. The track bed was washed away making it unsafe to run any services between Thorpe Le Soken and Colchester.

Network Rail engineers immediately started to pump away the water and repair the embankment, track and signalling systems. The work was completed on Sunday night, ready for a full service on Monday. Further work will take place over the next few weeks to prevent any future issues in this area.

Meliha Duymaz, Network Rail’s route managing director for Anglia, said: “Our engineers have worked non-stop since Thursday to carry out the extensive repairs that were required so services can safely return to normal. I’d like to apologise for the disruption last week and thank passengers for their patience while we made the repairs. We are carrying out an investigation into what caused the landslip and will carry out any further works as necessary to prevent any reoccurrence.”

Jamie Burles, Greater Anglia managing director, said: "Sorry to customers who inconvenienced by disruption caused by the landslip. We appreciate Network Rail's speed at completing all of the necessary repairs in time for the Monday morning rush hour."