25 September 2025 •
As in other parts of the country, the rail track on parts of the c2c route has been affected by the driest spring in more than 50 years. The clay soil underneath has shrunk following the prolonged spell of dry weather, causing the track to drop in places and become uneven.
To keep everyone moving safely, since Monday 18 August Network Rail has applied speed restrictions, which means trains must operate at slower speeds. Some journeys will take a few minutes longer than usual so 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 show the amended timetable for each week, and passengers are advised to check c2c-online.co.uk or nationalrail.co.uk before travelling.
Timetables
Check the full timetable here.
Service alterations
The below services have had an altered calling pattern but may also still be affected by evening and weekend engineering works so customers are advised to check nationalrail.co.uk before travelling.
Weekday services
07:08 Leigh-on-Sea to Fenchurch Street will now start from Shoeburyness run fast to Leigh-on-Sea then all usual stops to Fenchurch Street.
07:50 Fenchurch Street to Southend Central will now terminate at Leigh-on-Sea and will no longer call at Chalkwell, Westcliff or Southend Central.
07:37 Leigh on Sea to Fenchurch Street will now start from Shoeburyness run fast to Leigh-on-Sea then all usual stops to Fenchurch Street.
16:16 Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness will now terminate at Southend Central and will no longer call at Southend East, Thorpe Bay or Shoeburyness.
15:11 Shoeburyness to Fenchurch Street will stop additionally at Southend Central but will no longer call at Thorpe Bay, Southend East, Westcliff or Chalkwell.
17:21 Shoeburyness to Fenchurch Street will not call at Pitsea.
17:43 Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness will additionally at Pitsea.
16:57 Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness will not call at Benfleet.
17:57 Leigh-on-Sea to Fenchurch Street will not call at Upminster.
16:14 Shoeburyness to Fenchurch Street will now start from Southend Central and will no longer call at Shoeburyness, Thorpe Bay or Southend East.
08:05 Fenchurch Street to Southend Central will now run to Shoeburyness and call additionally at Southend East, Thorpe Bay and Shoeburyness.
07:59 Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness will now terminate at Southend Central and will no longer call at Southend East, Thorpe Bay or Shoeburyness.
09:00 Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness will now terminate at Southend Central and will no longer call at Southend East, Thorpe Bay or Shoeburyness.
08:50 Southend Central to Fenchurch Street will now start at Leigh-on-Sea and no longer call at Southend Central, Westcliff or Chalkwell.
15:04 Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness will now terminate at Southend Central and no longer call at Southend East, Thorpe Bay or Shoeburyness.
16:07 Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness will now additionally call at Basildon.
08:35 Fenchurch Street to Southend Central will now run to Shoeburyness calling additionally at Southend East, Thorpe Bay and Shoeburyness.
17:27 Shoeburyness to Fenchurch Street will now start at Southend Central and will no longer call at Shoeburyness, Thorpe Bay or Southend East.
Saturday services
21:15 Liverpool Street to Shoeburyness will no longer call at Chalkwell, Westcliff, Southend East or Thorpe Bay.
22:11 Liverpool Street to Shoeburyness will no longer call at Southend East or Thorpe Bay.
Planned weeknight and weekend engineering work will continue, with Network Rail taking the chance to improve the condition of the track as much as possible. Engineers will use machines called tampers and stoneblowers to correct the level of the track and create a solid foundation so that trains can run smoothly.
In the last year, Network Rail has dropped 12,600 tonnes of ballast across the route to try to minimise the effects of clay shrinkage, but an exceptionally dry spring this year has meant that it hasn’t been possible to eliminate track issues.
The combination of engineering work, precautionary speed restrictions and limited service alterations from Monday 18 August is designed to prevent more disruptive reductions and changes to timetables and calling patterns. The alterations are expected to be in place for between two and three months.
Simon Milburn, Infrastructure Director for Network Rail Anglia, said: “We are really sorry for the disruption to passengers from the timetable alterations, but we need to keep everyone moving safely. Our teams are working together to keep running the best possible service for passengers, even with the significant challenges we face with clay soil following prolonged dry spells. Thank you to everyone for bearing with us – and please do check before you travel, particularly if you’re used to getting the same time train every day.”
Stuart Browning, Operations and Safety Director 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.”