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Wednesday 26 Apr 2023

REMINDER: Passengers asked to check before travelling over the May Day bank holiday and Coronation weekends

Region & Route:

Eastern: Anglia

Much of the railway network is open over the May bank holiday and Coronation weekend across the Anglia region. But with major station and renewals projects taking place, we urge passengers to check before travelling as some engineering work will affect the main lines at Cambridge, Chelmsford and on the Rainham and Ockendon lines in Essex.

May Day bank holiday

Great Eastern main line (Sunday 30 April to 1 May)

We will continue to construct the brand new Beaulieu Park station in Chelmsford on the main line. This work will take place from late on Sunday 30 April to Monday 1 May. A bus replacement service will be in operation between Marks Tey and Ingatestone, and buses will also replace trains between Braintree and Witham.  for Greater Anglia passengers to complete their journey.

West Anglia main line (Saturday 29 April to Bank Holiday Monday 01 May inclusive)

Engineers will continue preparatory work at the site of the new Cambridge South station while also continue to deliver the major re-signalling renewal programme around the Cambridge area. Buses will replace trains between Royston and Cambridge for Great Northern and Thameslink services, and between Audley End and Cambridge for Greater Anglia and Cross Country passengers to complete their journey.

Tilbury Loop (Sunday 30 April to 1 May)

Work to renew the overhead wires to improve reliability of the power system will take place on Sunday 30 April and Monday 1 May on the Rainham and Ockendon line with a rail replacement bus service in operation for c2c passengers.

 

Coronation weekend

Great Eastern main line: (Saturday 6 May: Coronation Day)

Rail services on the mainline between Norwich and London will be available for Greater Anglia passengers to travel to and from capital on Coronation Day itself.

Great Eastern main line: (Sunday 7 and Bank Holiday Monday 8 May)

A rail replacement bus service will operate between Marks Tey and Billericay, as train services will continue to operate between London and Billericay. This is to allow engineers to continue to construct the new Beaulieu Park station. Buses will also replace trains between Braintree and Witham.

West Anglia main line: (Saturday 6 May: Coronation Day)

Rail services on the mainline will be available for Greater Anglia, Great Northern and Thameslink passengers to travel to and from the capital on Coronation Day (Saturday 6 May).

West Anglia main line: (Sunday 07 and Bank Holiday Monday 08 May)

A rail replacement bus service will operate between Cambridge and Ely to allow engineers to continue to deliver the major Cambridge area re-signalling programme and additional track work.

Tilbury Loop: 

A rail replacement service will be operating for c2c passengers between Grays, Purfleet, Rainham and Upminster on the Rainham line, and on the Ockendon line between Chafford Hundred and Pitsea to allow engineering work to continue to take place to renew the overhead lines on Sunday 7 May.

Spring (late) May Bank Holiday (Saturday 27 to Monday 29 May)

Most of the rail network across Anglia will be open to passengers, however some engineering work will be taking place which will disrupt services between Audley End and Cambridge, and between Royston and Cambridge to allow work to continue for the new Cambridge South station, the renewal of the signalling systems and general track and maintenance work. Passengers using the railway via Cambridge over the late May bank holiday are encouraged to check their journey plans before travelling.

Buses will also run on the Rainham line between Upminster and Grays on 28^th and 29^th May for overhead line renewal works.

Katie Frost 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 May bank holiday. The railway will also be open on 6 May when passengers will be able to travel into the capital to experience the UK’s first coronation of a monarch in over 70 years.

“However, while we have planned to keep most of the railway open for these important weekends, passengers should continue to check before travelling as important work to deliver vital new stations, renewals and maintenance will continue to affect the mainlines on certain days. I’d like to thank our customer and passengers for their continued patience.”

Jamie Burles, Managing Director, Greater Anglia, said: “Although there is some engineering work taking place over some weekends during May, the majority of our network is open most of the time, so customers can make their train journeys as normal. 

“On the day of the coronation (Saturday 6 May), all routes are open, all GA services are running, and we will be providing extra seating capacity wherever possible, on services to/from London, to ensure services run with the maximum number of carriages available. Our new trains are longer and have more seats, meaning even more people can travel to the capital to enjoy this historic event. However, passengers should be aware that there is engineering work on Sunday 7 May and Monday 8 May affecting journeys on the Great Eastern Main Line south of Colchester and on the West Anglia route between Cambridge and Ely.

“Where Network Rail is carrying out projects across the region this May, a rail replacement bus service will run, so passengers can complete their journeys. We would like to thank customers for their patience while this work is carried out.”

Thameslink and Great Northern Customer Services Director Jenny Saunders said: “Coronation Day is a great occasion and we’ll be running our trains at their maximum length on 6 May so that everyone gets to enjoy the celebrations. However, there’s also some vital engineering work that Network Rail needs to carry out on other days during this celebratory weekend and the late May Bank Holiday. Please plan ahead and allow extra time if necessary.”

Rob Mullen, Managing Director at c2c, said, "We're looking forward to welcoming customers travelling through our stations to celebrate the historic Coronation and enjoy the bank holiday weekends in May. While the majority of our route will be open, some upgrade projects will take place so we're advising customers to check their journeys in advance."