RAIL passengers have been thanked for their patience after engineering work disrupted journeys during the Easter weekend.

Overhead line replacement work meant Greater Anglia passengers were forced to take replacement buses between Wickford and Newbury Park on Sunday and Monday.

Steve Cassidy, Network Rail area director, said: “We would like to thank passengers for their patience during this disruptive work.

“We try our best to minimise the impact on passengers and do most of the work behind the scenes, but there are big pieces of work that can only be completed when the railway is clear of trains.

“We used the time to successfully upgrade the overhead lines on this busy main line, which will help to provide passengers who travel on this route every year more reliable journeys.”

Engineering work at Chadwell Heath, Romford and Ilford took place to prepare the line for Crossrail.

Andrew Goodrum, Greater Anglia customer service director, said: “These improvements will help in providing a more reliable service.”

The disruption will be repeated during next month’s Bank Holiday weekend, with buses replacing trains on Sunday, May 3, and Monday, May 4.