Rail bosses have issued an apology after sweltering weather and issues with the track and overhead lines brought hours of travel disruption to rail passengers.
The issues began at around 12pm on Tuesday, May 26, when a track fault was reported on the London-bound line near Laindon.
Trains had to be diverted onto the Essex-bound track or rerouted via Tilbury as Network Rail began repairs.
At 1.30pm, a problem was then identified with the overhead wires near Fenchurch Street in east London.
This forced services to stop running between Fenchurch Street and Barking until around 5pm, when the line reopened after investigations were completed.
However delays to services remained into the evening.
Greater Anglia customers also faced delays as a heat-related issue forced trains to run at a reduced speed between Stratford and Shenfield.
Rob Mullen, chief customer and commercial officer for Anglia’s Railway, said: "I am really sorry to all of our customers who have been caught up in the disruption on the c2c route yesterday afternoon.
"Due to the hot weather the network experienced some heat related issues which meant we were unable to run trains in some areas whilst these were investigated. We collaborated closely with our Network Rail colleagues to resolve the issue, ensuring services were restored as quickly and safely as possible."
Passengers were able to use c2c tickets on Greater Anglia services, London Underground trains, and local buses during the disruption.
Replacement buses also ran towards London between Pitsea and Upminster via Laindon from 9pm.
A spokesman for the operator added : "c2c are very sorry for the disruption our customers experienced yesterday on the route.
"Upon confirmation of the incidents, arrangements were made for c2c tickets to be accepted on Greater Anglia, London Underground services and local bus routes."
Anglia’s integrated railway brings together the leadership of c2c, Greater Anglia and Network Rail Anglia under a single, unified structure.
This new structure is part of wider plans to create Great British Railways (GBR), bringing track and train closer together to deliver a better, more joined-up railway for customers and communities in Anglia.
