Essex rail disruption as record-breaking dry weather causes track problems
- Rail passengers in Essex and east London face travel disruption as record-breaking summer temperatures and low rainfall have “dried out and shrunk” clay beneath train tracks, according to Network Rail.
- GBR Anglia has introduced an amended timetable on the c2c route and some Greater Anglia services in Essex from 25 August, while changes on the Greater Anglia line between Southend Victoria and London will be initiated on 1 September.
- Passengers have been warned to check their journeys before they travel, and some journeys will take from two to eight minutes longer than usual under the timetable changes.
- A £2.6bn investment to protect the railway from extreme weather is currently underway, according to Network Rail.
- Martin Beable, chief operating officer for GBR Anglia, said: “We never want our customers to experience disruption, but safety will always be our priority. Thank you for bearing with us, and please do check before you travel, particularly if you’re used to getting the same time train every day.”
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