An Essex landslide has caused major travel disruption between Liverpool Street and Southend Victoria, which is expected to last until the end of the week.

The landslide, which happened at around 2pm yesterday between Billericay and Wickford, led to the closure of the Southend-bound line.

Following a report from a train driver and an inspection by engineers, it was found that the stones that help keep tracks safely in place, have fallen away under a section of track.

Although Network Rail engineers are working to fix the problem, the repairs are expected to continue throughout today and Friday, meaning further disruption for passengers.

As a result, fewer trains will run on this line and a reduced service will be operated. Replacement buses will be available between Wickford and Shenfield.

Trains are however able to run in both directions on the adjacent line.

A revised service was also already planned for this weekend to allow engineering work to take place.

Customers have been advised by the Greater Anglia team to check before they travel and allow more time for their journeys.

Travel information can be found on the Greater Anglia website, app or Twitter feed.

On their website, they said: "We apologise for the inconvenience caused and would like to thank customers for their patience.

"A revised service is already planned for this weekend (February 22/23), due to planned engineering work as part of the major upgrade programme for the overhead line equipment on the route."

Jamie Burles, Greater Anglia’s Managing Director, said: “We’re sorry for the disruption caused to passengers as a result of the landslip. We are working closely with Network Rail to restore the normal service as soon as is possible.” 

Ellie Burrows, Network Rail route director for Anglia said: “Our first priority is the safety of passengers and staff working on the trains. We have our engineering teams on site and are assessing what damage has been done by this landslip and trying to identify how it occurred.

"We have already mobilised our supply chain to get the 500 tonnes of stone we need and will be focused on getting the embankment and tracks restored as quickly as we can.  

"We can run trains in both directions on this line, so while I’m sorry there will be some disruption for passengers, we will be working with Greater Anglia to run as many trains as we can for passengers. We will keep passengers and stakeholders updated.”

Anyone affected can claim delay repay at www.greateranglia.co.uk/delayrepay