Easter rail upgrades including the installation of 5.6km of wire at Seven Kings are set to improve the reliability of the London to Norwich line, Network Rail says.

Railworkers spent around 5,000 hours installing more durable heat resistant wires which won’t sag in hot weather, meaning that heat-related speed restrictions in the summer can be lifted.

Work on the Crossrail project also continued, with more than 270 metres of track renewed at Pudding Mill Lane, between Stratford and London Liverpool Street, in preparation for its connection to the Elizabeth line tunnel entrance. New signalling equipment that was installed at Shenfield during February and March was also tested ahead of the introduction of new walk-through, air-conditioned trains on the TfL Rail line from late May. Work also progressed to introduce new lifts for step free access at stations along the route including Harold Wood and Forest Gate.

Richard Schofield, Network Rail’s route managing director for Anglia, said: “As part of our Railway Upgrade Plan, we’ve carried out a huge package of work since the start of the year, and over the Easter weekend, that will deliver a more modern and reliable railway for millions of passengers who use this line day in day out.

“I’d like to thank passengers for their continued patience and remind those travelling over the May Bank Holidays to check ahead how their journeys will be affected while we continue this much needed investment.”

Jamie Burles, managing director of Greater Anglia, said: “We appreciate the disruption engineering causes to our customers, but we do our best to make sure they can still complete their journeys, even if part of it is by bus. Ultimately this work will result in a much better railway for all of us in East Anglia.”

Further work will take place over the May Bank Holidays to install a further 2km of new wire at Seven Kings and 3km at Brentwood and passengers are urged to check in advance how their journey will be affected.