Important Notice for Travelers on West Anglia Route: Summer Engineering Disruptions

This summer, travelers using the West Anglia route, including the Stansted Express, should prepare for significant disruptions due to essential engineering works by Network Rail. Scheduled from July 20 to August 4, these works involve the replacement of an aging bridge near Hackney Downs, resulting in several changes to train services.

During this period, Greater Anglia services between Liverpool Street and Hertford East will terminate at Stratford, except on Sundays. Additionally, services from Liverpool Street to Cambridge and Stansted Airport will be diverted via Seven Sisters instead of Tottenham Hale, leading to longer journey times and modified schedules.

On Sundays, an hourly service will run between Stratford and Hertford East, while the usual route for Cambridge and Stansted Airport services via Tottenham Hale will be maintained. However, there will be no trains running between Stratford and Meridian Water, nor between Bishop’s Stortford and Stratford. Passengers are encouraged to use alternative routes during this time.

For travelers seeking alternatives, several options are available. National Express and Terravision offer regular bus services between London and Stansted Airport, providing a reliable alternative to disrupted train routes. Additionally, Thameslink and Great Northern rail services offer alternative routes that may be useful for journeys to Cambridge and other destinations.

Jamie Burles, managing director of Greater Anglia, advises travelers to check their travel plans and allow extra time for their journeys. He thanked passengers for their understanding and patience as these vital works are carried out to ensure future safety and reliability.

The bridge, located just south of Hackney Downs Park and carrying Downs Park Road and Bodney Road, has been in service for over 150 years. Due to the deteriorating condition of its cast iron girders, a replacement is necessary to avoid unexpected closures and ensure the safety of both passengers and road users.

Over the course of 16 days, engineers from Network Rail’s contractor, Murphy, will demolish the old bridge and begin constructing the new one. There will also be preparatory and follow-up works affecting train services on August 17-18, September 1, and September 8.

For those needing private transport, services such as Uber and Bolt offer convenient travel options within London and to the airport. Traditional London Black Cabs are also available throughout the city. For those who prefer to drive, car rental services like Zipcar and Enterprise Rent-A-Car provide flexible options for short-term and long-term rentals.

Travelers should be aware of specific disruptions:

• July 20: Stansted Express and Cambridge services will divert via Seven Sisters, and Hertford East services will terminate at Stratford.
• July 21 (until 23:15): West Anglia and Stansted Express services will operate via Tottenham Hale and Stratford to/from Liverpool Street, with extended journey times.
• July 22-26: A revised service will operate with all trains between Stansted Airport/Cambridge and Liverpool Street diverting via Seven Sisters, and Hertford East services diverting via Tottenham Hale to/from Stratford.
• July 27-28: Similar diversions with extended journey times are expected.

Passengers are strongly encouraged to check departure times regularly as schedules will vary, and journey durations may be longer than usual. These changes are necessary to ensure the completion of the bridge replacement, which will enhance travel reliability in the future.