Five Weekends of Rail Works Planned Near Ingatestone to Boost Reliability

Network Rail is set to carry out a series of weekend engineering works near Ingatestone station to renew worn track and improve reliability on the Great Eastern main line. The programme will run across five consecutive weekends starting on January 10 and 11, with work focused on keeping Greater Anglia services between London Liverpool Street and Norwich operating reliably in the long term.

Engineers will replace three sets of points forming part of a passing loop on the main line, which allows faster trains to overtake slower services and plays a key role in maintaining punctual timetables. The project will also see 450 metres of straight track renewed and a buffer stop replaced, enabling the loop to be used more flexibly and safely. Timber sleepers supporting the points will be removed and replaced with more durable concrete alternatives to reduce the risk of faults that can lead to delays.

The works will require changes to Greater Anglia services on each affected weekend, with bus replacement services operating on sections of the route between London Liverpool Street and Norwich. Passengers are being advised to check travel details in advance via the Greater Anglia website before setting out.

In addition, the Ingatestone level crossing on Station Lane and Hall Lane will be closed to road traffic during the engineering works, from 11pm on Fridays until 6am on Mondays. A signed diversion route will be in place for motorists while the crossing is shut.

Liam Allen, Network Rail Anglia infrastructure maintenance engineer, said:

“This work will help to keep passengers moving safely and reliably on the Great Eastern main line for years to come. We’re really sorry for the disruption over the five weekends, but this is a vital job and we need the track access and level crossing closures to get it done.”

Martin Beable, managing director for Greater Anglia, said:

“This project will help to modernise the railway and maintain our high standards of punctuality and reliability. We would like to thank customers for their patience and understanding while Network Rail carry out this work.”

Service changes will vary across the five weekends. On January 10–11 and January 17–18, buses will replace trains between Marks Tey and Billericay, and between Braintree and Witham. Trains will continue to run between Billericay and London Liverpool Street, with the Southend Victoria line remaining open.

On January 24–25, the same arrangements will apply, with additional bus replacement services between Sudbury and Marks Tey. Over January 31 and February 1, buses will operate between Beaulieu Park and Billericay, while trains continue to serve London Liverpool Street from Billericay.

The final weekend of work, February 7–8, will see buses replacing trains between Colchester and Billericay, Braintree and Witham, and Sudbury and Marks Tey. As with previous weekends, services between Billericay and London Liverpool Street will continue to run, alongside the Southend Victoria line.

Image: Network Rail