Passengers Face Disruption as West Anglia Route Shuts for Platform Upgrades

Passengers planning to travel on the West Anglia route in early May are being urged to check their journeys in advance, with major disruption expected due to a programme of station improvement works.

Operator Greater Anglia has confirmed that engineering activity will take place over the weekend of 9 and 10 May, affecting services across key parts of the route. Rail replacement buses will operate on several sections while the work is carried out.

The upgrades will focus on platforms at Sawbridgeworth railway station, Cheshunt railway station and Broxbourne railway station, with the aim of improving safety and maintaining long-term infrastructure standards.

Planned work includes replacing worn or damaged platform edge stones, known as copers, as well as re-laying tactile paving where it has become loose. Additional surface repairs will be carried out, alongside the reinstatement of platform safety lines.

Some of the work began earlier this year at Sawbridgeworth, coordinated with Network Rail projects in February to reduce disruption. However, further work is now required, which will be combined with similar upgrades at Cheshunt and Broxbourne during the May closure.

During the engineering works, buses will replace trains between Bishop’s Stortford and Waltham Cross, and also between Hertford East and Waltham Cross. Rail services will continue to run between Cambridge and Stansted Airport through to Bishop’s Stortford, as well as between Waltham Cross and London, although this section will operate at a reduced half-hourly frequency.

Passengers travelling on the Stansted Express are being advised to travel via Cambridge and connect with Great Northern services into London King’s Cross.

Andrew Goodrum, Infrastructure & Major Projects Director, Greater Anglia, said:

“These works are designed to improve safety, accessibility and the long-term condition of the platforms while maintaining their existing layout and appearance. We are sorry for the inconvenience caused and would like to thank passengers for their patience while this upgrade work takes place.”

Image: Greater Anglia