Rail passengers on the busy Great Eastern main line are set to benefit from more reliable journeys following a significant infrastructure upgrade planned for early 2025. Network Rail has announced a series of essential engineering works near Ingatestone station in Essex, scheduled across five consecutive weekends.
Details of the Essential Engineering Work
The project, commencing on the weekend of January 10 and 11, 2025, will focus on replacing worn-out track components that are crucial for maintaining a punctual service. Engineers will install new, durable track over a 450-metre section and replace three key sets of points. These points form part of a passing loop, which allows faster services to overtake slower ones, a vital function for minimising delays on the busy route between London and Norwich.
Concrete sleepers will be installed to replace older timber versions, offering greater longevity and reduced maintenance. Additionally, a buffer stop will be renewed to ensure the passing loop can be used both flexibly and safely. Liam Allen, Network Rail Anglia's infrastructure maintenance engineer, emphasised the importance of the project: "This work will help to keep passengers moving safely and reliably on the Great Eastern main line for years to come."
Impact on Travel and Local Access
The necessary work will inevitably cause disruption for both rail users and local road traffic. Greater Anglia services will be affected on each of the five weekends, with rail replacement bus services operating on various sections of the line between London Liverpool Street and Norwich. Passengers are strongly advised to check the latest travel information at greateranglia.co.uk before setting out.
Furthermore, the Ingatestone level crossing on Station Lane/Hall Lane will be closed to all road traffic from 23:00 each Friday to 06:00 each Monday throughout the works. A signed diversion route will be in place for drivers during these periods.
Weekend-by-Weekend Travel Arrangements
The disruption will vary across the five weekends. On January 10/11 and 17/18, buses will replace trains between Marks Tey and Billericay, and between Braintree and Witham. Main line trains will still run between Billericay and London Liverpool Street, and the Southend Victoria line will operate as normal.
The pattern changes on January 24/25, with the addition of bus replacements between Sudbury and Marks Tey. For the weekend of January 31 and February 1, buses will run between Beaulieu Park and Billericay. The final weekend of work, February 7/8, will see the most extensive changes, with bus replacements operating between Colchester and Billericay, Braintree and Witham, and Sudbury and Marks Tey.
Martin Beable, Greater Anglia's Managing Director, acknowledged the inconvenience but highlighted the long-term gains: "This project will help to modernise the railway and maintain our high standards of punctuality and reliability. We would like to thank customers for their patience and understanding." The investment underscores a continued commitment to improving rail infrastructure in the East of England, ensuring robust services for the future.
