RAIL passengers are being urged to plan journeys over the bank holiday weekend in advance amid widespread disruption in south Essex.

Network Rail is carrying out engineering works between Saturday and Monday on a number of lines in south Essex, meaning passengers can expect longer journey times due to rail replacement buses.

Among the work taking place is improvements to overhead wiring, track maintenance and earthworks between Billericay and Southend Victoria.

Work is also taking place on some overhead wiring on the c2c line.

All Greater Anglia services between London and Southend Victoria will be impact by the work throughout the three-day weekend.

The engineering works will also impact c2c services between Upminster and Pitsea, via Grays on Sunday and Monday.

C2c says these services will be diverted via an alternative route and run non-stop between Upminster and Pitsea.

Read more:

The engineering works come following extensive improvements carried out over the Easter bank holiday weekend earlier this month.

Network Rail’s route director, Ellie Burrows, said: “We’ve carried out a programme of works over the Easter period to maintain safety and improve reliability across the network and will continue with these vital upgrades over the May bank holiday to make improvements for our passengers.

“I’d like to thank passengers for their patience while we carry out these upgrades and ask that anyone travelling over these weekends to check how their journey might be affected.”

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

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

“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.

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

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