Network Rail engineers have completed the installation of new track in Colchester station over the weekend – but there is still much more work to do on the main line to London over the autumn.
The company is also preparing to close the line between Lowestoft and Norwich for nine days from October 20-28 to allow engineers to replace track in the Reedham area.
That will also mean there are no trains between Beccles and Lowestoft on the weekends of 20/21 October and 27/28 October while signalling in the Lowestoft area is updated.
The work on the main line during the autumn will mean there are frequent bus replacements for some parts of the journey at weekends – although there are some that are clear and the work should not affect travel during the run-up to Christmas.
Network Rail says the work is necessary to upgrade track and signalling that has been in place for decades.
Full details of the main line closures with trains replaced by buses:
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
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here