A whole junction at Edmonton Green is being replaced and upgraded by Network Rail

The junction at Edmonton Green where four sets of points will be replaced (credit Network Rail)

London Overground passengers in Enfield will have to put up with six successive weekends of engineering works shutting down the route towards Liverpool Street Station.

Network Rail is set to refurbish a worn-out junction affecting both the Enfield Town and Cheshunt branches of the route soon to be renamed ‘Weaver Line’.

Services will be affected while engineers carry out the upgrade over several weekends in late spring and summer, starting on Saturday 18th May, as well as on Tuesday 28th May.

The project involves the replacement of points which allow trains to switch from one line to another. The four sets of points – just north of Edmonton Green Station – are used to transfer trains travelling from Liverpool Street on to either the Enfield Town or Cheshunt lines, as well as bringing services back the other way.

This makes them critical to the everyday running of the railway, and the age of the current equipment increases the likelihood of faults that can cause disruption to passengers.

Once installed, the new points will help to keep the service “running safely and reliably for decades to come”. They will be built on modern concrete sleepers, which are more durable than the current wooden ones. Engineers will also be fully replacing the rails themselves, the machinery that allows the points to move, and 175 metres of straight track near the junction.

Work will be carried out on the following dates:

Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th May
Sunday 26th, Monday 27th and Tuesday 28th May
Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd June
Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th June
Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th June
Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th July

On all of the dates above, there will be no service on the London Overground between Hackney Downs and Enfield Town/Cheshunt stations. Replacement buses will operate between Seven Sisters and Enfield Town/Cheshunt. Passengers are advised to use London Underground and bus connections between Liverpool Street and Seven Sisters.

Simon Milburn, Network Rail Anglia infrastructure director, said: “Improving the condition of this junction is essential for keeping trains on time in future, with some of the old track having been laid over 60 years ago. We’ll be making the most of the time we have available to install up-to-date equipment and deliver a reliability boost to these very busy lines.”

Rory O’Neill, TfL’s general manager for London Overground, said: “Helping ensure our customers continue to receive a safe and reliable service is key for us here at Transport for London and these Network Rail track maintenance works will help ensure this will happen for many years to come.

“My advice is to plan ahead, check before you travel and allow extra time to complete your journey while this work is taking place.”

Passengers can check before they travel at tfl.gov.uk/plan-a-journey

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