During the Christmas and the new year festive break, Network Rail engineers completed a programme of vital upgrades and maintenance across Anglia’s railway.

While the majority of the network remained operational, essential engineering work was carried out in east and north London, Essex, and Norfolk.

Replacing Neasden rail bridge. Credit: Network Rail.

There were several projects being worked on at the same time, including:

• at Stratford, overhead wires replaced to prevent delays caused by sagging wires when the weather gets hot;
• carried out work at London Liverpool Street station to prepare the site for the renewal of the roof;
• replaced sets of points at Norwich and Liverpool Street stations, to provide a smoother journey at two of the busiest stations on the route;
• at Camden bridge in north London, wheel timbers, sleepers, and rails were replaced, and strengthening work was carried out;
• replaced a life-expired bridge at Neasden in north London that carries freight lines over London Underground lines with a new bridge expected to last 120 years, reducing the need for further repair works;
• near Shadwell station in east London, replaced bridges at Christian Street and Morris Street to maintain safety and reliability and prevent the need for speed restrictions that cause delays;
• supported the highways authority in Essex to undertake works to remove a bridge at Generals Lane near Chelmsford.

Replacing overhead wires at Stratford. Credit: Network Rail.

Ellie Burrows, Network Rail’s route director for Anglia, said: “While Santa was delivering presents, our engineering teams did their bit to sprinkle a bit of festive magic over the railway by improving our tracks, stations, and bridges so that we can continue to run a reliable railway for passengers and freight users. We know the railway provides an essential service for many, and completing these works means we can continue to do this for years to come.”