Network Rail schedules weekend maintenance on Essex Thameside line
Network Rail has announced a series of essential maintenance projects on the Essex Thameside line, scheduled across several weekends in January and February 2026. The work is designed to maintain safety, reliability, and comfort for passengers using the route.
Passengers planning to travel on c2c services during these weekends are advised to check schedules in advance and allow extra time for journeys, as some services will be altered or replaced with buses.
Engineering work will include a variety of station and track improvements: preparatory work at Chalkwell and Southend East ahead of new lifts to improve accessibility; repairs at Leigh-on-Sea, Grays, Barking, and Rainham to enhance safety; track maintenance between Leigh-on-Sea and Shoeburyness for smoother journeys; and re-railing at multiple locations to maintain track stability and reduce delays.
Simon Milburn, Network Rail Anglia infrastructure director said:
"These works will deliver a range of vital improvements from station upgrades to infrastructure maintenance, but I know this will cause some disruption for passengers, so I'd like to thank everyone for their understanding and patience as we carry out these essential improvements to improve services across Essex Thameside."
Rail replacement buses will operate on affected sections of the c2c network on the following weekends:
Saturday 3 – Sunday 4 January
Sunday 18 January
Sunday 25 January
Saturday 31 January – Sunday 1 February
Sunday 8 February
Saturday 14 – Sunday 15 February
Sunday 22 February
Passengers should check detailed travel information before their journeys via National Rail Enquiries or the c2c website. Alternative train services may be busier than usual, and extra time is recommended.
Key service alterations include:
3–4 January: Services start and terminate at Fenchurch Street and Leigh-on-Sea, calling at West Ham but not Stratford. Replacement buses between Leigh-on-Sea and Shoeburyness. Season ticket holders can use Greater Anglia services between Southend Victoria and London Liverpool Street.
18 January: Basildon line diverted via Rainham; Ockendon line shuttles between Upminster and Grays; Rainham line diverted to Fenchurch Street via Stratford, extended to Shoeburyness with ticket acceptance on District line, Jubilee line, and DLR.
25 January: Basildon line diverted to Fenchurch Street; Ockendon line suspended with rail replacement buses; Rainham line suspended with buses between Upminster, Rainham, Purfleet, and Grays. Ticket acceptance for Dagenham Dock via TfL EL2 and 287 buses.
31 January – 1 February: Diversions via Rainham between Upminster and Pitsea, calling at Liverpool Street and Stratford during peak times. Replacement buses with ticket acceptance on Jubilee line.
8 February: Basildon line diverted via Rainham between Upminster and Leigh-on-Sea; replacement shuttles from Leigh-on-Sea to Shoeburyness. Ockendon line starts/terminates at Grays, Rainham services extended to Stanford-le-Hope with buses between Stanford-le-Hope, Pitsea, and Leigh-on-Sea.
14–15 February: Services start/terminate at Fenchurch Street and Leigh-on-Sea, calling at West Ham but not Stratford. Replacement buses between Leigh-on-Sea and Shoeburyness.
22 February: Basildon line diverted to Liverpool Street, calling at Stratford but not Limehouse or West Ham; Ockendon line shuttles between Upminster and Grays; Rainham line diverted to Liverpool Street via Stratford and extended to Shoeburyness. Ticket acceptance on District line, Jubilee line, and DLR.
Image: Network Rail