Rail chiefs are to give commuters a £5 million present by transforming the line between Chelmsford and Shenfield next year, part of a series of major engineering projects costing £13 million.
Next year will see three extensive works on the Great Eastern mainline, including track renewals between Chelmsford and Shenfield, the replacement of the Widford Bridge at Chelmsford, and the temporary closure of the Victorian tunnel at Ipswich Station.
On Sundays between January 4 and May 8 the line from Shenfield to Chelmsford will be closed for the renewal of track and foundations at a cost of £5 million.
The work is being carried out by Network Rail, with buses replacing trains.
Regional director Mark Phillips said passengers and customers would immediately see the benefits He added: "We apologise for the inconvenience the work will cause to Sunday leisure travellers, but the long term gain far outweighs the short term pain."
When the signalling system was modified, trains used a single track but health and safety rules now mean both tracks will be closed.
However, the prediction is that the ride between the county town and Brentwood will be smooth and lurch-free increasing journey times and reliability.
Maurice Austin, chairman of the Great Eastern area rail passengers committee, said: "It is a bind for travel on Sunday and I expect the operators will be upset at the loss of custom. But we criticise when things are not done so we can hardly criticise when things are to be done. The line from Chelmsford to Shenfield should be transformed."
Published Thursday December 18, 2003
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