Customers using c2c rail services between London and Essex are being warned that there will be urgent changes to their train timetables from next week.
Uneven track on the c2c lines caused by soil moisture deficit (c) Network Rail
Network Rail has had to slow down some trains along the railway because a lack of rain over the past few months. Because of that, the clay soil underneath the c2c lines has shrunk in places, causing the track to drop in places and become uneven.
Even dropping some 12,600 tonnes of ballast across the route over the past year to try to minimise the effects of clay shrinkage was unable to overcome the effects of the driest spring in a century.
As a result, Network Rail has to impose speed restrictions.
As some journeys will take a few minutes longer than usual, trains may run at slightly different times. A small number of services each day will be altered to start or terminate early or not stop at some stations.
Journey planners will be updated with the amended timetable by the end of this week, and passengers are advised to check before travelling.
The alterations are expected to be in place for between two and three months.
Stuart Browning, Operations and Safety Director for c2c Railway, said: “We are working closely with our Network Rail colleagues to ensure the safe running of our services for customers. We are sorry there will be some disruption due to these timetable alterations. We are hopeful these small amendments will not inconvenience our customers’ journeys but we would urge customers to check before they travel.”
There have been similar problems in other parts of the country affecting local services, and some Greater Anglia services through Romford are also subject to some minor delays at the moment.