Rail passengers in the Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and London are being warned that they need to check before they travel this Easter, with plans to carry out a large amount of improvements on the tracks.
The engineers at Network Rail will be working on the railways in this area from Friday 14th to Monday 17th April. This work is to construct the Crossrail at Shenfield as well as stations on the TfL Rail Line. As part of the Railway Upgrade Plan, there will also be work to continue replacing overhead wires at Seven Kings.
During this four-day period, it is hoped that almost 7km of new wires that are more durable and heat-resistant will be installed at Seven Kings. These new wires are being installed with the aim to stop overhead wires sagging in hot weather. Engineers have been working at Seven Kings for at least 10 weekends I order to install the structures that will carry these new wires. The aim of the work is to reduces heat-related speed restrictions that will therefor mean fewer delays for passengers using the rail network as far as Norwich.
Other works planned include new signaling at Shenfield which will form part of the Crossrail scheme, as well as further improvements to the stations located between Shenfield and Stratford. As part of the Easter programme of works in this area there will be more than 180 meters of track renewed at the Pudding Mill Lane as well as between the Stratford and London Liverpool street stations. These improvements are in preparation for the Elizabeth Line tunnel entrance. It is also hoped that new walk-through, air-conditioned trains will be introduced to the TfL line. The first of these new trains are expected from May, as they are currently in London undergoing tests before public use.
To prepare for the disruption on the railways, more than 270 buses have been booked for over the Easter weekend in order to provide a replacement for the disrupted train services.
