Network Rail will renew rails and sleepers more than 50 years old between Battlesbridge and Southminster during a seven-day closure in August, helping to keep services safe, reliable and comfortable for passengers.

While the Crouch Valley line is closed, engineers will also carry out a range of maintenance and station works across the route:

- Inspect and maintain infrastructure between Wickford and Southminster, including bridges, overhead line equipment and signalling systems, to keep services safe and reliable.

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- Improve drainage along the line to reduce the risk of flooding.

- Clear vegetation to minimise delays and address safety risks from overgrown trees and plants.

- Replace ageing buffer stops at Southminster station to enhance safety at the end of the line.

- Repair part of the platform at Burnham-on-Crouch station to maintain a safe, reliable station environment.

Joe Kennedy, infrastructure director for Network Rail Anglia said: "This essential work will help keep trains running safely and reliably on the Crouch Valley line for years to come. We're replacing rails and sleepers that are more than 50 years old, alongside a range of other improvements across the route, to help reduce future faults and disruption for passengers."

Network Rail Anglia, Greater Anglia and c2c are collaborating as GBR Anglia to bring track and train closer together, improving planning, strengthening day-to-day coordination and delivering a more joined-up railway for customers across the region.