A landslip has plunged commuter rail services from Southend to Liverpool Street into chaos and will cause disruption for the next two days.

Commuters, who faced a second day of travel chaos after Monday's tube strikes and flooding on the roads, were told they should find other ways to travel to work.

A spokesman for Essex Police said the problems had arisen after a landslip on to the track between Wickford and Billericay railway stations.

He said: "As a consequence there was serious disruption to trains running on the Great Eastern route. The possible disruption will last for at least two days."

Passengers hoping to travel from Southend Victoria to Liverpool Street were advised to switch to the c2c rail line between Southend Central and Fenchurch Street, where their tickets were accepted as valid.

A spokesman for rail operator c2c said that an arrangement existed between the two rail operators to deal with such emergencies and shuttle bus services were on hand from Great Eastern to ferry passengers to c2c stations.

No-one from Great Eastern was available for comment on Wednesday.

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