PASSENGERS are being urged to check their journeys before they travel ahead of major engineering works planed for the railway over Easter.

Network Rail will begin work on upgrading both the main line and Southend branch line into London in an effort to improve reliability.

Work will take place over the Easter weekend between Friday 2 to Monday 5 April.

Passengers are being urged to minimise travel over the Easter bank holiday, and those who do need to travel should check in advance whether their route will be affected by the engineering works taking place.

The work will involve:

  • Southend Victoria branch line 

Overhead line, track maintenance and earthworks between Billericay and Southend Victoria.

  • c2c line (London Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness)

 Work between Grays and Pitsea as part of a wider programme to upgrade the overhead wiring system.

Work is also taking place on the main line between Norwich and Liverpool Street, and on TFL lines.

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Follow up works will take place on the following weekend of Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 April, along with track renewals at Billericay and footbridge strengthening works at Seven Kings, Goodmayes and Brentwood.

Some preparatory works will also be taking place this weekend (Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 March).

Rail replacement services will run throughout and passengers who need to travel are advised to check beforehand.

Ellie Burrows, Network Rail’s route director said: “We’re carrying out vital upgrades to the main line this Easter in order to improve reliability, which means fewer delays and cancellations for passengers.

"I’d like to remind passengers who do need to travel over Easter to check before they travel while the work is carried out.”

Jamie Burles, Greater Anglia managing director, said: “This work will help to improve punctuality and performance along these vital parts of the network.

“We will be running a rail replacement bus service while the work takes place so customers will be able to complete their journeys.

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"Passengers should check before they travel, allow more time for their journey and wear a face covering when travelling by train or rail replacement bus and at our stations.

“Government travel guidance for Easter is to minimise journeys and avoid travelling at busy times and on the busiest routes.

"Greater Anglia has several measures in place to keep you safe, from regular cleaning and sanitisation of trains and stations, to making it easier for you to socially distance.

“We would like to thank customers for their patience while this work takes place.”

Passengers who need to travel between London and Norwich, London and Southend Victoria and London and Shoeburyness are advised to check before they travel at www.nationalrail.co.uk or with their train operator.