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Wednesday 2 Mar 2022

Video: Rail improvement works on track at Bishops Stortford

Region & Route:

Eastern: Anglia

A quarter of a mile of track and five sets of points have been renewed at Bishops Stortford to reduce delays and improve reliability of rail services for passengers travelling between London and Cambridge, Stansted and Kings Lynn.

The work is part of a package of improvement which is ongoing and will continue during some weekends in March, April, May and June, and includes:

• Renewal of eleven points, the pieces of track that enable trains to change from one track to another
• Over half a mile of track renewal
• Re-timber and re-rail over two bridges
• Platform works at Bishops Stortford station
• Drainage works to keep the track bed in good condition

Track works like these are essential to prevent issues that cause delays. Just like road surfaces, track wears out from constant use from trains, even more so on busy main lines. Maintenance is carried out to keep the track in working order, but eventually a full replacement is required to prevent delays.

 

 

Ellie Burrows, Network Rail’s route director for Anglia, said: “We’re making good progress on this important package of work that will improve reliability for our passengers across the Anglia region. This work is essential to keep the track in good condition and keep services running on time. I’d like to thank passengers for their continued patience while this work is carried out.”

Jamie Burles, Managing Director, Greater Anglia, said: “We would like to thank passengers for their patience so far while this work is being carried out. Everyone can complete their journey, even if part of it is by rail replacement bus. We have started to roll out new trains on the West Anglia route and this work, once complete, will help improve punctuality and reliability along this very busy line.”

Customers are advised to check before they travel and allow more time for their journey. E-scooters, e-bikes or full-size bikes cannot be transported on the rail replacement buses.

Notes to editors

The work will continue on the following weekends in 2022:

• Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 March- Buses replace trains between Audley End and Stansted Airport & Stansted Airport and Broxbourne all weekend (including Stansted Express).
• Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 April- Buses replace trains between Stansted Airport and Waltham Cross (including Stansted Express), and between Hertford East and Waltham Cross, all weekend.
• Good Friday 15, Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 April and Easter Monday 18 April- Buses replace trains between Stansted Airport and Waltham Cross (including Stansted Express), and between Hertford East and Waltham Cross, all days.
• Saturday 30 April and Sunday 1 May and Bank Holiday Monday 2 May- Buses replace trains between Stansted Airport and Waltham Cross (including Stansted Express), and between Hertford East and Waltham Cross, all days.
• Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 May- Buses replace trains between Stansted Airport and Waltham Cross (including Stansted Express), and between Hertford East and Waltham Cross, all days.
• Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 May- Buses replace trains between Stansted Airport and Waltham Cross (including Stansted Express), and between Hertford East and Waltham Cross, all days.
• Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 May- Buses replace trains between Stansted Airport and Broxbourne all weekend (including Stansted Express).
• Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 June- Buses replace trains between Stansted Airport and Broxbourne all weekend (including Stansted Express).

Passengers should check how their journey will be affected by going to www.nationalrail.co.uk or www.greateranglia.co.uk