Christmas rail changes

TRAIN travellers going from Ipswich to London Liverpool Street over Christmas face heavy disruption, it was announced today.

From Sunday, December 23, until New Year's Day, Liverpool Street station will be closed to trains while Transport for London and Network Rail carry out engineering work.

No trains will operate between Stratford and Liverpool Street and rail passengers holding tickets with train operator 'one' will have to take alternative bus services or trains.

Passengers from Ipswich who are going to London should get the train to Colchester, where they will get on to a direct bus to Liverpool Street.

Arrangements for getting to stations between Colchester and London vary, passengers are advised to check with 'one' before travelling.

Anyone travelling from London Liverpool Street to Ipswich can get a direct bus to Colchester, from where they will be able to resume their train journey.

The changes are to allow a bridge to be demolished on the approach to Liverpool Street, the replacement of overhead line equipment in the Liverpool Street area and development at Stratford associated with the 2012 Olympics and replacement of track and crossings at Shenfield.

The announcement comes after a day of chaos on the trains on Friday caused by a fallen tree taking down power overhead cables at Ingatestone and a signal box fire at London Liverpool Street - at one stage passengers were told not to try to travel to London from Ipswich.

No services will run on Christmas Day. On Boxing Day the only service will be direct coaches serving Stansted Airport.

On New Year's Day most services will operate to a Sunday timetable.

For more information about travel over the holiday period call National Rail Enquiries on 08457 484950 or go to www.onerailway.com

N Is Christmas the right time to shut Liverpool Street station? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk