Suffolk rail passengers hoping to make weekend trips during March will face some disruption - although the main line from Ipswich to London should be open for most of the month.

Engineering work means that buses will replace trains between Ipswich and Norwich and for all or part of the route between Ipswich and Cambridge North or Ely on the first four weekends of the month.

Over the Easter holiday weekend - from Good Friday to Easter Monday - the main line to London will be closed near Chelmsford with a bus link between Witham and Billericay stations to allow construction work on the new Beaulieu Park station to continue.

This month there have been bus connections on the line to London while work at the new station continues.

Katie Frost, Network Rail’s route director for Anglia said: “It is really important that we are able to access the railway to complete the necessary tasks that keep the railway reliable and safe for all our customers.

“Our engineers will be working out on track to check the infrastructure, track, overhead lines and vegetation and complete planned activities that all helps to keep communities and people connected. Thank you in advance for your patience while we carry out this important work.”

Jamie Burles, Greater Anglia managing director, said: “This work is extremely important to help maintain the safe and reliable running of the railway and make it fit for the future.

“A rail replacement service will run while the work takes place and passengers are advised to check before they travel and allow more time for their journey.

“We would like to thank customers for their patience and understanding while this essential maintenance is carried out.”