Services on the Great Eastern Main Line returned to normal after Network Rail engineers completed 10 days’ work on schedule in the early hours of Monday morning.

Two of the tracks between Liverpool Street and Shenfield had been closed since the last trains on Christmas Eve to allow a major rebuilding programme to be completed.

The other two tracks were also closed for much of the festive period – they were only in action between December 29 and 31 to provide a reduced service for the three working days between Christmas and the New Year.

Memories of previous engineering over-runs had prompted concern, but in the event the work was completed on schedule and the lines were handed back to operator Abellio Greater Anglia allowing services to run as normal on Monday morning.

Richard Schofield, Network Rail route managing director, said: “Over the Christmas and New Year period, our orange army worked round the clock to deliver crucial parts of our Railway Upgrade Plan which will mean better, more reliable journeys for people travelling between London, Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk.

“Our work to improve the railway doesn’t stop, and while we mostly work at night, big upgrades like the ones we’ve successfully completed this Christmas can only be carried out over a longer period of time.

“I’d like to thank passengers for their patience and understanding while we worked to improve their railway.”

Andrew Goodrum, Customer Service Director for Abellio Greater Anglia, said: “We are grateful to customers for their patience and understanding while these important works were carried out. The improvements will help to deliver a better and more reliable service.”