Track and drainage have been replaced and improved between London and Shoeburyness to provide better reliability. 

Network Rail undertook the work at Upton Park between Fenchurch Street and Barking, replacing almost one and a half miles of rail, installing 40 new catchpits, which are empty chambers that are added to a drainage system to capture silt and debris along a drainage pipe. Also, 180 new drainage pipes along with 1,000 tonnes of top stone will create better drainage. 1,700 New concrete sleepers were installed along with 4,500 tonnes of ballast which are the stones that support the trackbed.

Similar to road surfaces, rails wear out due to constant usage by trains. As with roads, engineers carry out inspections and make repairs over years but for this project, the track required full replacement otherwise the line would have had speed restrictions added which would have caused delays.

Over the last year Network Rail engineers have been undertaking a programme of track replacements right across the Anglia region which will keep services running safely and reliably.

Drainage is also essential to keep the track and also the foundations which the tracks sit on stable, this is essential to prevent delays and cancellations which are caused by flooding and damage caused by water.

Follow-up work will be taking place on Saturday the 14th and Sunday the 15th of August 2021 and passengers are advised to check www.nationalrail.co.uk  or www.c2c-online.co.uk before travelling.

Network Rail’s route managing director for Anglia, Ellie Burrows, said: “This work is essential to keep services running safely and reliably and to minimise delays on the whole line from Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness. As we’ve seen in recent weeks, drainage work is essential to divert water away from the track and prevent the damage to equipment and embankments that cause delays.”

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