Because of planned engineering work, weekend and some weekday journeys are likely to be disrupted between January and April on the West Anglia and Great Eastern main lines into London Liverpool Street and on the c2c's Tilbury Loop.
There will be further closures of the mainline after Easter, including the May bank holidays, but details of those closures will be announced closer to the time.
West Anglia Main line
From the weekend of 14/15 January, Greater Anglia and Stansted Express services between London and Cambridge and Cross Country services to Stansted Airport will be affected by work to improve the reliability of the infrastructure.
From Friday, 13th January to Wednesday, 18th January, Nazeing New Road bridge next to Broxbourne station will be replaced. Services on that section of the main line will be affected, as will Greater Anglia services on the Hertford East branch. Further information about this work can be found here.
During the closure at Broxbourne, Network Rail engineers will also undertake maintenance in the Stansted tunnel.
Rail-replacement bus services will be provided while train services are suspended.
Great Eastern Main Line
On the weekend of 7/8 January, Greater Anglia services between Norwich and London will be disrupted by the installation of new track Ipswich tunnel, and drainage work at Colchester and between Witham and Ipswich.
For six consecutive weekends from 4/5 February up to and including 11/12 March, Greater Anglia and Elizabeth line services into London will be disrupted due to engineering work to improve the reliability of the railway infrastructure. During this period rail-replacement bus services will be in operation via Newbury Park.
On weekends from 18/19 February up to and including 11/12 March, Greater Anglia services on the Southend Victoria and Southminster lines to Shenfield will be disrupted because of engineering work to replace wheel timbers on Clarkes Bridge and maintenance of the overhead lines.
On weekends from 25/26 February to 15/16 April, services between Shenfield and Witham will be suspended to facilitate the construction of a new station at Beaulieu Park. This will be the first new station on the Great Eastern Main line in 100 years, and more information about the project can be found here.
On 1/2 April as well as construction work at Beaulieu Park station, services on the mainline and the branch lines to both Braintree and Sudbury will be suspended because of track work at Colchester and Witham.
During the periods of disruption, rail-replacement buses will be provided except on days of industrial action, currently 7 January.
Essex Thameside (c2c) line
On most Sundays from 7/8 January up to Easter, engineering work will continue on the Tilbury Loop to renew overhead wires between Pitsea and Barking via Grays. Further information about this work can be found here.
Ellie Burrows, Network Rail's route director for Anglia, said:”While Christmas engineering work is currently the focus, we have a significant package of engineering work to continue to deliver into the New Year on both the Great Eastern and the West Anglia main lines that will affect some rail journeys.
“Passengers should check their journey plans in the New Year as some weekday and weekend services will be affected to allow us to complete vital structure replacements, track work and to facilitate the start of station construction for Beaulieu Park.”
Jamie Burles, Greater Anglia managing director, said:“These essential projects will help improve rail travel in the region and make the railway fit for the future. We appreciate customers' patience while the work takes place.
“Customers should check before they travel, particularly as some of the work affects weekday service, and allow more time for their journey.”
Rob Mullen, c2c's Managing Director, said:”These upgrade works will improve the infrastructure on our route, making the railway more reliable for customers as they continue to return to rail. We encourage customers to check before they travel during this period and thank them for their patience.”
Yet again trains between Chelmsford and London Liverpool Street will be disrupted for the next few weekends making travel by replacement buses over double of the journey time to reach destinations to see loved ones.
There was disruptions before Christmas and here we are 2024 and nothing has changed. Not great !!
And still no sign of a new station building to be built at Wickford.
My usual warning for GEML closures:
Be aware that rail ticket booking websites may offer a via Ely/Cambridge route to London, and this is often more expensive (although quicker, but fares on that route are not matched to the direct route). Can also affect validity of the Greater Anglia Club 50 railcard
If you want the cheapest fare and can tolerate the replacement bus, add a “via Colchester” to your travel request to force the usually cheaper “Great Eastern Main Line” route
More misery for all passengers in the East of England from next year. Apart from a new railway station near Chelmsford that is to be built.