The 100-year-old rail bridge at Benfleet station will be replaced by Network Rail this Christmas in a major engineering project which will enable c2c services to continue running as normal next year.

The improvement works will mean that trains will not run between Leigh-on-Sea and Pitsea from the close of service on Christmas Eve to the start of service on New Year’s Eve. We will however, be providing alternative travel options between Thursday 27th December and Sunday 30th December as follows:

The bridge being replaced by Network Rail forms part of the platform at Benfleet station and crosses over Ferry Road. So while the station itself is closed, the booking office will remain open as normal for the Christmas / New Year period for ticket sales including season ticket renewals

There will be rail replacement bus services provided between Leigh-on-Sea and Pitsea, with both a direct fast service and a stopping bus serving Benfleet provided

A direct bus services is provided from Canvey Island to Pitsea station instead of Benfleet to provide a faster connection to London-bound trains

Although c2c tickets to London via Southend Central are cheaper than those via Southend Victoria your c2c ticket will still be valid and accepted on Greater Anglia services to London via Southend Victoria and on selected local bus routes as well.

Station Specific Travel Information and Advice

Shoeburyness

Take Arriva #9 bus from Shoeburyness station to Southend Victoria station for Greater Anglia train service to Liverpool Street. As c2c fares are cheaper than Greater Anglia please ensure that you have purchased you tickets before arriving at Southend Victoria Station.

If there is a bus stop closer to your front door than the station, take either Arriva bus #1, #7, #8 or #9 direct to Southend Victoria, as your c2c ticket (including seasons) will also be valid on these bus services for this journey.


Thorpe Bay and Southend East

Arriva #1 bus to Southend Victoria for Greater Anglia train service to Liverpool Street. As c2c fares are cheaper than Greater Anglia please ensure that you have purchased you tickets before arriving at Southend Victoria Station.

If there is a bus stop closer to your front door than the station, take either Arriva bus #1, #7, #8 or #9 direct to Southend Victoria, as your c2c ticket (including seasons) will also be valid on these bus services for this journey.


Southend Central

Walk from Southend Central to Southend Victoria up the high street for Greater Anglia train services to London Liverpool Street. As c2c fares are cheaper than Greater Anglia please ensure that you have purchased your tickets before arriving at Southend Victoria Station.
   

If there is a bus stop closer to your front door then take Arriva bus #1 direct to Southend Victoria (or Rayleigh) as your c2c ticket (Including seasons) will also be valid on these bus services for this journey.

Westcliff and Chalkwell

Take the c2c service to Leigh-on-Sea and then take the direct replacement fast bus to Pitsea for onward c2c train service from there.   

If coming from the London Road catchment areas, take Arriva bus #1 direct Rayleigh for the Greater Anglia train service to London Liverpool Street. your c2c ticket (Including seasons) will be valid on both the bus service for this journey and the Greater Anglia train into London.


Leigh on Sea

Take the c2c direct fast bus to Pitsea for onward c2c train service.
   

If coming from the London Road catchment areas, take the Arriva bus #1 direct to Rayleigh for the Greater Anglia train service to London Liverpool Street. Your c2c train ticket will be valid on both the bus for this journey and the train into London from Rayleigh.
   

Please note that the Stephensons bus #6A service between Leigh on Sea station and Belfairs will be incorporated into the c2c rail replacement bus operation and this will also run to/from Pitsea via Benfleet as well and your c2c train ticket will be valid for on it for this journey.


Benfleet

Take the c2c replacement bus service to Pitsea for onward c2c train service to London or the replacement bus service to Leigh on Sea for journeys to Southend Central and beyond.


Canvey Island

Take the c2c replacement bus service direct to Pitsea for the onward c2c train service to London or if travelling eastwards to southend and beyond take the fast direct bus to Leigh on Sea and then the onward c2c train from there.
   

The Canvey Island to Pitsea replacement bus service will start at Leigh Beck and call at all First #22 route bus stops via Link road to the A130/B1014 roundabout then fast to Pitsea.

Trains will continue to operate on the remainder of the c2c route, between London Fenchurch Street via both Grays and Laindon and from Shoeburyness to Leigh-on-Sea.