Vital track replacement work on the London Overground Mildmay line will continue into the New Year, with further weekend closures planned in January and February, Network Rail has confirmed.

The major engineering project follows an 11-day partial closure over Christmas and is focused on the stretch of track between Brondesbury Park and Willesden Junction.

The work is aimed at improving reliability and reducing future delays on the busy line, which serves stations including Richmond.

Over Christmas, engineers have been replacing 10 sets of points, the movable sections of track that allow trains to change lines, which are currently in poor condition and supported by ageing timber sleepers.

These are being replaced with more durable concrete sleepers laid on fresh ballast. Sections of straight track are also being renewed, alongside drainage improvements to reduce the risk of flooding.

Once the new track has settled, engineers will return over three further weekends to complete the installation using specialist machinery.

A separate team will also replace an additional 1.5km of worn track.

Simon Milburn, Network Rail's infrastructure director for Anglia, said: "We're sorry for the extended closure at Christmas and the additional weekends in the new year, but this is a big job that will make a real positive impact for passengers in the long term.

"The Mildmay line is shared with heavy freight trains, which puts extra strain on the track. We are installing new infrastructure built to last for decades."

Network Rail says the timber sleepers will be replaced by concrete ones (credit: Network Rail).

How services will be affected

Thursday, 25 December to Sunday, 4 January

• No trains on Christmas Day
• Boxing Day: shuttle service between Shepherd's Bush and Clapham Junction only
• Replacement buses between Shepherd's Bush and Camden Road, and Camden Road and Stratford
• From 27 December to 4 January: no service between Camden Road and Richmond / Shepherd's Bush
• Special service between Willesden Junction and Stratford (via Queen's Park)
• Replacement buses between Camden Road and Gunnersbury

Saturday, 10 January and Sunday, 11 January

• No service between Gospel Oak and Richmond / Shepherd's Bush
• Special service between Willesden Junction and Stratford
• Shuttle service between Shepherd's Bush and Clapham Junction
• Replacement buses between Camden Road and Gunnersbury

Saturday, 31 January and Sunday, 1 February

Saturday 14 February and Sunday, 15 February

• No service between Camden Road and Richmond / Shepherd's Bush
• Special service between Willesden Junction and Stratford
• Shuttle service between Shepherd's Bush and Clapham Junction
• Replacement buses between Camden Road and Gunnersbury (extended to Richmond on Sunday 15 February)

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