Between London and Cambridge, Stansted, and Kings Lynn, track, bridge, and station works will take place until June to reduce delays and improve the reliability of rail services for passengers on that route.

Works will take place at Bishops Stortford during some weekends for the next six months, and passengers are advised to check how the work will affect their journeys.

Network Rail will carry out the following work:

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

Works such as 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.

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.”

Customers are advised to check before they travel by visiting http://www.nationalrail.co.uk or http://ww.greateranglia.co.uk and to allow more time for their journey. E-scooters, e-bikes, or full-size bikes cannot be transported on rail replacement buses.

The work will take place on the following dates:

Saturday and Sunday, 8/9 January

Saturday, 8 January

• between Stansted Airport and Broxbourne, buses will replace trains all day, including the Stansted Express;

Sunday, 9 January until 09.00

• between Stansted Airport and Waltham Cross, buses will replace trains including the Stansted Express;
• between Hertford East and Waltham Cross, buses will replace trains.

Sunday, 9 January from 09.00 until end of service

• between Stansted Airport and Broxbourne, buses will replace trains including the Stansted Express;

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

• between Audley End and Stansted Airport & Stansted Airport and Broxbourne, buses will replace trains all weekend, including the Stansted Express.

Saturday and Sunday 5/6 February

• between Stansted Airport and Waltham Cross, buses will replace trains including the Stansted Express;
• between Hertford East and Waltham Cross, buses will replace trains
• between Cheshunt and Liverpool Street via Waltham Cross and Tottenham Hale, a limited train service will be in operation;
• Southbury route, no Greater Anglia services will run
• between Cambridge North/ Cambridge and Stansted Airport, train services will remain in operation.

Saturday and Sunday 5/6 March

• between Audley End and Stansted Airport & Stansted Airport and Broxbourne, buses will replace trains all weekend, including the Stansted Express.

Saturday and Sunday 2 and 3 April

• between Stansted Airport and Waltham Cross, buses will replace trains including the Stansted Express;
  between Hertford East and Waltham Cross, buses will replace trains

Good Friday 15 to Easter Monday 18 April

• between Stansted Airport and Waltham Cross, buses will replace trains including the Stansted Express;
• between Hertford East and Waltham Cross, buses will replace trains

Saturday 30 April to Bank Holiday Monday 2 May

• between Stansted Airport and Waltham Cross, buses will replace trains including the Stansted Express;
• between Hertford East and Waltham Cross, buses will replace trains

Saturday and Sunday 7/8, 14/15 May

• between Stansted Airport and Waltham Cross, buses will replace trains including the Stansted Express;
• between Hertford East and Waltham Cross, buses will replace trains

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

• between Stansted Airport and Broxbourne, buses will replace trains including the Stansted Express.