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Monday 25 Apr 2022

REMINDER: Essential track works to affect Cambridge and Stansted rail passengers this May Bank Holiday

Region & Route:

Eastern: Anglia

Passengers travelling to Stansted and between London and Cambridge are advised to check before they travel this May Bank Holiday as Network Rail carries out essential track works in the Bishops Stortford area.

A quarter of a mile of track and five sets of points have been renewed at Bishops Stortford to date, with remaining work scheduled through May and June. The work is part of a package of improvement 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

Passengers are advised to check how their journey might be affected before they travel.

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: “This year, most of the network will be available for passengers to enjoy days out by rail throughout the Bank holiday. Those planning to travel on the West Anglia line and those planning to travel to Stansted should check how their journey might be affected by the works. I’d like to thank passengers for their patience while we carry out this important work to renew the track to improve reliability on this busy line.”

The railway is vital to Britain’s recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, and passengers can play a key role in boosting that recovery as they return to the network for both work and leisure.