Rail replacement buses continue to run on a key south Essex line despite services resuming after a derailment - here's why.
Greater Anglia confirmed that the Wickford to Southminster line will remain closed until Friday, August 28, due to planned engineering works unrelated to the recent derailment.
A spokesperson for Greater Anglia said yesterday: "We’re pleased to confirm that the normal Southend Victoria to London Liverpool Street service has resumed this morning, as planned.
"The Wickford to Southminster line will continue to see a replacement bus service up to and including Friday 28 August, due to pre-planned engineering work, but direct train services to/from Southend Victoria are now operating again."
The derailment occurred on August 14 when a train travelling from Southend Victoria to London Liverpool Street partially left the tracks, leading to a full closure of the line.
While services between Southend Victoria and London Liverpool Street have now resumed, the closure of the Wickford to Southminster branch is the result of a week-long programme of works by Network Rail.
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The company is replacing more than 50 years of rails and sleepers along the Crouch Valley line, as well as carrying out maintenance on bridges, signalling systems, and overhead line equipment.
Additional work includes drainage improvements to reduce flooding risk, vegetation clearance, repairs to the platform at Burnham-on-Crouch, and the replacement of old buffer stops at Southminster station.
Network Rail said the upgrades are essential to ensure passenger safety and long-term reliability of the route.
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