Dagenham and Rainham MP, Margaret Mullane, has been updated on the work to restore a Greater Anglia train service on the lines to Southend Victoria and Southminster. This is following the derailment of one carriage of a Greater Anglia train and extensive damage to one and a half miles of infrastructure on Friday 14 August near Wickford.
The railway will remain closed between Billericay and Hockley (between Shenfield and Southend Victoria) to allow for emergency repairs.
As a result, limited rail shuttle services will run between Shenfield and Billericay and between Hockley and Southend, with a limited replacement bus service between Billericay and Hockley.
The train service is planned to operate as follows until further notice:
- Southend Victoria – Hockley: rail shuttle every 30 minutes, departing XX:05 and XX:35 from both locations
- Shenfield – Billericay: rail shuttle every 30 minutes, departing XX:15 and XX:45 from both locations
There will be no train services between Wickford and Southminster, but a limited bus replacement service is planned.
Residents planning to travel through Wickford next week are being advised by Network Rail and Greater Anglia to expect disruption to train services for at least a week.
Customers are advised to use c2c services on the route between Southend Central and London Fenchurch Street wherever possible, with Greater Anglia tickets accepted for travel on c2c services.
Jamie Burles, Managing Director for GBR Anglia said, “Our response teams are working around the clock and doing everything they can to safely restore the line and resume normal train services as soon as possible”.
As the repair work progresses, further updates on any changes to services and the impact on journeys will be provided when they are available. For more details, please visit. www.greateranglia.co.uk.