Media centre

Monday 19 Apr 2021

Passengers urged to check before they travel as Anglia’s rail network set for further upgrades next month

Region & Route:

Eastern: Anglia

Passengers travelling into London on the Great Eastern Main Line and Southend lines are urged to check before they travel next month (May) as planned upgrades will be carried out to improve reliability.

Network Rail will carry out works between Saturday 1 and Monday 3 May:

• Track renewals on the Southend Victoria line at Billericay and on the Great Eastern main line at Stratford to reduce delays caused by track issues.
• Footbridge strengthening work at Brentwood, Chadwell Heath and Seven Kings to keep the railway operating safely.
• Work to upgrade the overhead wiring system on the London Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness line to reduce delays caused by wires sagging in hot temperatures.
• Further works to platforms 16 and 17 at Liverpool Street, in preparation for the full-length Elizabeth line trains which are planned to be introduced later this year.

Works will also take place on the following weekend between Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 May:

• Work to renew the track at Ingatestone on the main line between Norwich and London and at Wickford on the Southend Victoria branch line to keep services running safely and reliably.
• Follow up track works at Gidea Park, Romford and Stratford.

People should continue to follow Government guidance around the use of public transport and minimise the number of journeys they make where possible. Those looking to travel by train over the Early May Bank Holiday are urged to plan their journeys in advance and travel at quieter times.

Some of this work follows on from that which was completed over the Easter bank holiday, to keep services running safely and on time. Over the four-day Easter period, Network Rail’s engineers carried a programme of upgrades including:

• Works to upgrade the overhead wiring system at Stratford to prevent delays and cancellations when wires sag in hot weather.
• Track works at Gidea Park, Harold Wood, Stratford and Liverpool Street to keep services running safely and reliably.
• Overhead line, track maintenance and earthworks between Billericay and Southend Victoria to keep the services running safely and reliably.
• Works to upgrade the overhead wiring system on the c2c line to prevent delays and cancellations when wires sag in hot weather.
• Work to extend platforms 16 and 17 at Liverpool Street, in preparation for the full-length Elizabeth line trains which are planned to be introduced later this year.

Ellie Burrows, Network Rail’s route director said: “We’ve carried out a programme of works over the Easter period to maintain safety and improve reliability across the network and will continue with these vital upgrades over the May bank holiday to make improvements for our passengers.

“I’d like to thank passengers for their patience while we carry out these upgrades and ask that anyone travelling over these weekends to check how their journey might be affected.”

Jamie Burles, Greater Anglia managing director, said: “These projects will help to improve punctuality and performance along these vital parts of our network.

“We will be running a rail replacement bus service while the work takes place, so customers will be able to complete their journeys. Passengers should check before they travel, allow more time for their journey and wear a face covering when travelling by train or rail replacement bus and at our stations. Greater Anglia has several measures in place to keep customers safe, from regular cleaning and sanitisation of trains and stations, to making it easier for customers to socially distance.

“We would like to thank customers for their patience while this work takes place.”

Notes to editors

Greater Anglia services

Greater Anglia services will be affected between London and Norwich and London and Southend Victoria on the following days:

• Saturday 1 to Monday 3 May
• Saturday 8 to Sunday 9 May

Rail replacement services will run, please check the website www.greateranglia.co.uk or the app for more details.

TfL Rail services

• Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 May, no service between Liverpool Street and Shenfield. Replacement buses operate. Customers can use Central line services between Liverpool Street and Stratford / Newbury Park.
• Saturday 1, Sunday 2 and Monday 3 May, no service between Liverpool Street and Shenfield. Replacement buses operate. Customers can use Central line services between Liverpool Street and Stratford / Newbury Park.

More details: https://tfl.gov.uk/status-updates/planned-track-closures

c2c services

c2c services will be affected between Saturday 1 to Monday 3 May. Passengers are advised to check http://www.c2c-online.co.uk/ for more details.