Passengers travelling in Essex and Suffolk are being warned to check their journeys before travelling, as weekend engineering works in November will replace some trains with buses. GBR Anglia is carrying out preparatory work ahead of major Christmas renewals at Forest Gate and Stratford, alongside station and track improvements across the two counties. The works are spread across several weekends, and replacement arrangements will vary from weekend to weekend, so passengers should check the details for their specific date rather than assuming a normal service.

What is planned

The GBR Anglia programme covers the weekends of 14 and 15, 21 and 22, and 28 and 29 November. It includes a £1 million platform renewal at Bures station, management and maintenance work on the Harwich Town branch line, and rerailing and maintenance at Marks Tey and Kelvedon. GBR Anglia's chief operating officer, Martin Beable, said the projects were part of ongoing investment in a safer and more reliable railway, renewing track, maintaining infrastructure and investing in stations, while preparing for the major Christmas renewals. He thanked passengers for their patience and said the operator was working to minimise disruption.

Advice for passengers

Separately, Network Rail has reminded East Suffolk line passengers that buses will replace trains between Ipswich and Halesworth on a series of dates, including the weekends of 15 and 16, 22 and 23, and 29 and 30 November, as part of track renewals and bridge repairs. Trains will continue between Halesworth and Lowestoft during those periods. Temporary level crossing closures are also planned at several locations, including Melton Station crossing on the A1152, with signed diversions agreed with the local council. The work is intended to support future freight services for the Sizewell C construction programme, as well as improving reliability for passengers.

Anyone travelling in the region on the affected weekends should check their journey online or through their operator's app before setting out, and allow extra time. Replacement buses will not always follow the same stopping pattern or journey time as the trains they replace, and some routes will be affected on one weekend but not another. Passengers travelling to London terminals, or connecting at Ipswich, should confirm both legs of their journey. The operators say the work, while inconvenient in the short term, is needed to keep the railway safe and reliable, and to prepare the network for the busier Christmas period and heavier freight traffic ahead.

Sources: RailAdvent and Network Rail Media Centre.