Engineers from Network Rail have completed a major track redevelopment in Essex over the weekend – laying new track, points and buffers at Colchester station and 3km of new track near Ardleigh.
But that is just the start of an autumn of weekend disruption on trains. There will be disruption somewhere between Ipswich and London every weekend in September (apart from September 29) and further problems in October and November.
Much of the work is now being concentrated away in north Essex – but on some weekends in October it is the line between Ipswich and Norwich which will be closed.
Greater Anglia is organising a fleet of coaches to carry passengers during the closures – over the bank holiday weekend 300 were used – however journey times to the capital are extended by between 30 and 60 minutes when trains are replaced by coaches because of engineering work on the main line to London.
Full details of the line closures with trains replaced by buses:
Saturday 1 September: Marks Tey to Ingatestone. Braintree to Witham
Sunday 2 September: Ipswich to Ingatestone. Braintree to Witham
Saturday 8 September: Marks Tey to Ingatestone. Braintree to Witham
Sunday 9 September: Colchester to Ingatestone. Braintree to Witham
Saturday 15 September: Marks Tey to Ingatestone. Braintree to Witham
Sunday 16 September: Colchester to Ingatestone. Braintree to Witham
Saturday 22 September: Marks Tey to Ingatestone. Braintree to Witham
Sunday 23 September: Colchester to Ingatestone. Braintree to Witham
Saturday 29 September: Clear
Sunday 30 September: Colchester to Ingatestone. Braintree to Witham
Saturday 6 October: Clear
Sunday 7 October: Ipswich to Ingatestone. Braintree to Witham
Saturday 13 October: Norwich to Ipswich. Braintree to Witham
Sunday 14 October: Norwich to Ipswich. Braintree to Witham
Saturday/Sunday 21/22 October: Clear
Saturday 27 October: Clear
Sunday 28 October: Norwich to Ipswich. Braintree to Witham
Saturday 3 November: Ingatestone to London Liverpool Street. Braintree to Witham
Sunday 4 November: Colchester to London Liverpool Street. Braintree to Witham
Saturday/Sunday 10/11 November: Clear
Saturday 17 November: Ingatestone to London Liverpool Street. Braintree to Witham
Sunday 18 November: Ingatestone to London Liverpool Street. Braintree to Witham
Saturday 24 November: Ingatestone to London Liverpool Street. Braintree to Witham
Sunday 25 November: Ingatestone to London Liverpool Street. Braintree to Witham
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