NEW overhead wires were installed on the Southend Victoria branch line at the weekend in a £46million investment to reduce delays and improve reliability of train services.

Network Rail engineers installed just over 1km of wire between Shenfield and Billericay. It marks the start of work to install 128km of overhead wires on the whole line.

The wires and structures that are currently in place form a system that is one of the oldest in the country, having been installed in the 1950s.

When the weather gets hot, the old wires sag and speed restrictions have to be imposed to protect them from damage by trains. The new wires are controlled by a system of weights to keep them taut at all times, so trains can travel at their normal speed, meaning fewer delays.

Meliha Duymaz, Network Rail’s route managing director for Anglia, said: “We recognise the issues our Southend passengers face in summer when services are delayed because of sagging overhead wires.

“We’re installing a new overhead wiring system to improve the reliability of train services and we’ve fast-tracked the work so passengers can start seeing the benefits as soon as possible.” Work will continue to install structures between Shenfield and Wickford until November 6.