Network Rail has announced that maintenance work will take place on the Great Eastern and Southend Victoria/Southminster lines throughout January and February.
The work is being carried out to ensure the railway continues to operate safely for Greater Anglia and Elizabeth line passengers.
The planned work includes replacing worn-out rail at Ilford and Harold Wood, repairs and improvements to drainage at Manor Park and Seven Kings, and general maintenance including overhead line work and vegetation clearance.
This will take place on the weekends of January 25 and 26, February 1 and 2, February 8 and 9, and February 15 and 16.
Buses will replace trains between Witham and Newbury Park Tube station on the first two weekends, and between Ingatestone and Newbury Park on the second two weekends.
Elizabeth line services between Stratford and Shenfield will also be affected, with replacement buses operating between Stratford and Romford, and between Newbury Park and Shenfield via Chadwell Heath.
Passengers are advised to use Central line connections between Liverpool Street, Stratford, and Newbury Park.
Lawrence Bowman, Network Rail’s route director for Anglia, said: “Our maintenance teams are planning to carry out important repairs to the mainline to keep trains running safely.
“This includes improvements to track drainage so that our railway is resilient to the risk of more frequent and intense rain storms which historically have caused localised flooding that can impact our ability to run reliable train services.
“I’d like to thank all our passengers and customers for their patience while we carry out this weekend work on the mainline.”
Martin Beable, Greater Anglia managing director, said: “This work is very important to help maintain the safe and reliable running of the railway and make it fit for the future.
“A rail replacement service will run while the works take place, and passengers are advised to check before they travel and allow more time for their journey.
“We would like to thank customers for their patience and understanding while this work is carried out.”
Passengers are being advised to check their journey plans with National Rail Enquiries, TfL.gov.uk or with Greater Anglia before travelling on these weekends.
