TRAIN passengers are being reminded to plan ahead for a nine-day line closure over the second May Day bank holiday.

The warning comes after 9.5km of overhead lines and structures were replaced between Billericay and Shenfield over the Easter weekend.

Engineers also carried out work on the line between London Fenchurch Street station and Barking by renewing track at West Ham and replacing two bridges at Caroline Street and Devonport Street in Limehouse, East London.

Bosses say that work was completed on time at the quietest time for rail travel.

But the nine-day closure between Southend Victoria and Wickford is expected to cause more disruption.

The closure will take place between May 25 and June 2.

All planned services on that line will be replaced with buses.

Meliha Duymaz, Network Rail’s route managing director for Anglia, said: “We’re continuing to improve the railway in our region over the next two bank holidays but that will mean some disruption while we carry out these improvements for passengers.

“While a lot of the network will be open, if you are thinking about travelling, please plan ahead by checking with your train operator or visiting the National Rail Enquiries website.”

The train boss added: “Anglia’s Team Orange worked extremely hard over the Easter holidays to maintain and upgrade the railway, helping us to deliver more reliable services for passengers and freight users for years to come.

“We know there is never a good time to close the railway but I want to offer a big thank you to passengers and our line side neighbours for their continued understanding while we carried out this work.”