Train services from London to Cambridge and Stansted are likely to be disrupted from Good Friday, 15th April to Easter Monday, 18th April, because of essential engineering works at Bishops Stortford.

To reduce delays and improve the reliability of train services, a quarter-mile of track and five sets of points have already been renewed at Bishops Stortford, with further work scheduled through to June, including the Easter weekend. The work is part of a package of improvement and includes:

• renewal of 11 sets of points;
• renewal of a half-mile of track;
• re-timber and re-rail over two bridges;
• platform improvements at Bishops Stortford station;
• drainage works to keep the track bed in good condition.

Track works like these are essential to prevent issues that cause delays. Just like road surfaces, track wears out from constant use from trains, even more so on busy main lines. Maintenance is carried out to keep the track in working order, but eventually a full replacement is required to prevent delays.

Greater Anglia will also carry out work to extend the platforms at Hertford East as part of its project to replace its entire fleet of trains with brand new, longer ones.

Much of the network will remain free of engineering works the Easter weekend, with only first or last trains on some lines being affected by maintenance work. Passengers planning to travel very early in the morning or late at night should check if their journey will be affected.

Ellie Burrows, Network Rail‘s route director for Anglia, said: “This year, most of the network will be available for passengers to enjoy days out by rail throughout the Easter holidays. Those planning to travel on the West Anglia line and those planning to travel to Stansted should check how their journey might be affected by the works. I’d like to thank passengers for their patience while we carry out this important work to renew the track to improve reliability on this busy line.”

Jamie Burles, Managing Director, Greater Anglia, said: “The 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.”

The work will continue on the following weekends:

• Good Friday 15th April to Easter Monday 18th April – buses will replace trains between Hertford East and Waltham Cross, and between Stansted Airport and Waltham Cross. Train services will remain in operation between Cheshunt / Waltham Cross and London Liverpool Street.
• Saturday, 2nd and Sunday, 3rd April – buses will replace trains between Stansted Airport and Waltham Cross. including the Stansted Express, and between Hertford East and Waltham Cross.
• Good Friday, 15th to Easter Monday, 18th April -buses will replace trains between Stansted Airport and Waltham Cross, including the Stansted Express, and between Hertford East and Waltham Cross.
• Saturday, 30th April to Bank Holiday Monday, 2nd May -buses will replace trains between Stansted Airport and Waltham Cross, including the Stansted Express, and between Hertford East and Waltham Cross.
• Saturday, 7th and Sunday, 8th May -buses will replace trains between Stansted Airport and Waltham Cross (including the Stansted Express), and between Hertford East and Waltham Cross.
• Saturday, 14th and Sunday, 15th May -buses will replace trains between Stansted Airport and Broxbourne, including the Stansted Express.
• Saturday, 21st and Sunday, 22nd May -buses replace trains between Stansted Airport and Broxbourne, including Stansted Express.

Passengers should check how their journey will be affected by going to http://www.nationalrail.co.uk or http://www.greateranglia.co.uk