Marathon runners warned of disruption on railways between Southend and Pitsea (From Echo)

Marathon runners warned of disruption on railways between Southend and Pitsea

5:30am Wednesday 17th March 2010 in

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RUNNERS taking part in next month’s London Marathon are being warned about engineering works which could disrupt their train journeys on the day.

Planned works between Southend and Pitsea means replacement buses will be operating between the two stations, on the c2c line into Fenchurch Street, on Sunday, April 25.

Val Taylor, 67, of Alton Gardens, Southend, will be running the marathon for the second time.

Her brother Ian Bancroft, 59, of Forest Glade, Basildon, will be travelling to London to lend his support.

He said: “Of all the Sundays to have engineering works, why do it when thousands of people will be trying to get to London?

“The rail replacement buses take longer and cannot fit as many people in as the trains.

“When I went to London the last time she ran the marathon, the trains were packed out. I don’t know how they are expected to fit on to the buses.”

Network Rail will close the line between Southend and Pitsea while it carries out stressing and welding of newly-laid track.

Spokesman Russell Spink said Southend residents also had the option of using train services from Southend Victoria to London Liverpool Street.

He added: “Engineering works are planned 12 to 18 months in advance, often prior to sporting fixtures being set.

“The railway network operates 24 hours a day. Important improvement works take place most weekends across the country, as do sporting events. It would be impractical to plan around these.”

National Express East Anglia,