Passengers are being advised to check before travelling over the early May Bank Holiday as essential track work will be taking place in the Bishops Stortford area.

Network Rail has already carried out the renewal of a quarter-mile of track and five sets of points at Bishops Stortford so far, the work comes as part of a package of improvements and will see:

• Renewal of eleven points – these are the pieces of track that enable trains to change from one track to another
• Over half a mile of track renewal
• Re-timber and re-rail over two bridges
• Platform works at Bishops Stortford station
• Drainage works to keep the track bed in good condition

The essential track works will prevent problems which cause delays, similar to road surfaces, track wears from ongoing use by trains, especially on busy main lines. Maintenance is undertaken to keep the track in good working condition but after time complete replacement is necessary in order to avoid delays.

The essential track work is set to take place over the early May Bank Holiday between Saturday the 30th of April and Monday the 2nd of May and will see the following changes:

• Track and bridge renewal work will see buses replace trains between Stansted Airport and Waltham Cross, and between Hertford East and Waltham Cross throughout the Bank Holiday weekend.
• Direct bus services will be in operation between Stansted Airport and Waltham Cross as a replacement for Stansted Express train services, with connecting train services between Waltham Cross and London Liverpool Street.
• Train services will still be running between Cambridge North/Cambridge and Stansted Airport, and between Cheshunt/Waltham Cross and London Liverpool Street.
• Passengers travelling between Cambridge and London Liverpool Street will need to use train services between Cambridge and Stansted Airport, rail replacement bus services between Stansted Airport and Waltham Cross, and train services between Waltham Cross and London Liverpool Street.

The essential track work is also planned to continue through weekends in May and June with the following changes:

• Saturday the 7th and Sunday the 8th of May will see buses replace trains between Stansted Airport and Waltham Cross (including Stansted Express), and between Hertford East and Waltham Cross, for both days.
• Saturday the 14th and Sunday the 15th of May will see Buses replace trains between Stansted Airport and Broxbourne for both days (including Stansted Express).
• Saturday the 21st and Sunday the 22nd of May will see buses replace trains between Stansted Airport and Broxbourne for both days (including Stansted Express).

Passengers are advised to check their travel plans ahead of making their journey by visiting either www.nationalrail.co.uk or www.greateranglia.co.uk

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 Bank holiday. 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.”

The railway plays a key role in Britain’s recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, with passengers supporting this effort as they return to the network for work and leisure travel.