Engineering works at Bishops Stortford during some weekends from January to June next year will affect passengers travelling on the West Anglia Main Line between London and Cambridge, Stansted, and Kings Lynn.

The work is essential as the track is on a busy main line and in urgent need of renewal.

Although routine maintenance keeps the track in working order, a full replacement is now required to prevent future delays and the following works will be carried out:

• renewal of eleven sets of points;
• renewal of over half a mile of track
• Replacement of timbers and rails over two bridges;
• platform works at Bishops Stortford station;
• drainage works to keep the track bed in good condition.

Ellie Burrows, Network Rail‘s route director for Anglia, said: “We’re committed to improving reliability and driving down delays and cancellations for our passengers across the Anglia region. This work on the West Anglia Main Line is essential to keep the track in good condition and keep services running on time.”

Jamie Burles, Managing Director, Greater Anglia, said: “We have started to roll out new trains on the West Anglia route and this work will help improve punctuality and reliability along this very busy line. We would like to thank passengers for their patience while this work is carried out. We will make sure they can complete their journey, even if part of it is by rail replacement bus.”

On weekends when the line is closed, rail-replacement buses will be provided. However, e-scooters, e-bikes, or full-size bikes will not be allowed on the replacement buses. At all times during the period of work, passengers should allow more time for their journey and check their journey before they travel at www.nationalrail.co.uk or www.greateranglia.co.uk

The work will take place on the following weekends in 2022:

Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 January

• Saturday – Buses replace trains between Stansted Airport and Broxbourne all day (including Stansted Express);
• Sunday until 09.00 – Buses replace trains between Stansted Airport and Waltham Cross (including Stansted Express). Buses also replace trains between Hertford East and Waltham Cross.
• Sunday from 09.00 until end of service – Buses replace trains between Stansted Airport and Broxbourne (including Stansted Express).

Saturday and Sunday 15/16, 22/23, and 29/30 January

• Buses replace trains between Audley End and Stansted Airport, and Stansted Airport and Broxbourne (including Stansted Express).

Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 February

• Buses will replace trains between Stansted Airport and Waltham Cross (including Stansted Express), and Hertford East and Waltham Cross.
• A limited train service will remain in operation between Cheshunt and Liverpool St. via Waltham Cross and Tottenham Hale.
• Greater Anglia train services will not serve the Southbury route.
• Train services will continue to run between Cambridge North/ Cambridge and Stansted Airport.

Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 March

• Buses replace trains between Audley End and Stansted Airport, and Stansted Airport and Broxbourne (including Stansted Express).

Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 April

• Buses replace trains between Stansted Airport and Waltham Cross (including Stansted Express), and between Hertford East and Waltham Cross.

Good Friday 15, Saturday 16, Sunday 17, and Easter Monday 18 April

• Buses replace trains between Stansted Airport and Waltham Cross (including Stansted Express), and between Hertford East and Waltham Cross.

Saturday 30 April, Sunday 1 May, and Bank Holiday Monday 2 May

• Buses replace trains between Stansted Airport and Waltham Cross (including Stansted Express), and between Hertford East and Waltham Cross.

Saturday and Sunday 7/8 and 14/15 May

• Buses replace trains between Stansted Airport and Waltham Cross (including Stansted Express), and between Hertford East and Waltham Cross.

Saturday and Sunday 21/22 May and 11/12 June

• Buses replace trains between Stansted Airport and Broxbourne (including Stansted Express).