Suffolk rail passengers face Easter disruption on main line

The main line to London will be closed between Witham and Shenfield as the company continues with its project to build a new station north of Chelmsford city centre.

Buses will replace trains between Witham and Billericay from Good Friday to Easter Monday.

There will also be disruption to services from Ipswich to Cambridge and Peterborough during the weekend - and travellers from west Suffolk hoping to head to the capital via routes from Cambridge will also find line closures on Easter Sunday and Monday.

Passengers travelling from Ipswich will face disruption (Image: Sarah Lucy Brown)

 Jamie Burles, Greater Anglia’s managing director, said: “This work is extremely important to help maintain the safe and reliable running of the railway and in some cases, enable infrastructure improvements or work on a new station.

“A rail replacement service will run while the work takes 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 essential maintenance is carried out.”

Katie Frost, Network Rail's route director for Anglia, added: “This Easter, we are continuing to deliver some of our big key projects, including re-signalling in the Cambridge area, the new station at Beaulieu Park, well as several smaller renewals projects to keep the railway working reliably – plus non-disruptive work on the new station at Cambridge South.

“Much of the railway across Anglia will be open, but I would encourage everyone to check their journey plans before travelling and leave extra time if travelling via Cambridge or Chelmsford.”