Rail services between Barking and Gospel Oak are set to resume next week- but passengers are furious the line is already set for new delays.

The line, which serves stations in Leytonstone, Leyton, Walthamstow, will reopen on Monday, February 27 after nine months out of action.

Services were suspended in June last year as Network Rail to installed overhead wires to allow electric trains to run over what was the last diesel only passenger railway line in north east London.

Ten bridges over the railway needed rebuilding, while the line has was lowered in four locations to provide clearances for 25,000 volt overheard cables.

However, Network Rail admitted earlier this month passengers will see service disruptions until early 2018 after structures carrying overhead wires were “incorrectly designed”.

Although the service is now set to resume on weekdays, campaigners from the Barking to Gospel Oak Rail Users Group (BGORUG) now believe more engineering closures could now be on the way.

The groups says it expects Network Rail to announce additional suspensions to finish electrification work to allow electric freight trains to run on the line.

BGORUG secretary, Glenn Wallis, said: “While BGORUG is pleased that passengers have got their trains back after nine months, we are not happy that another multi-week closure is in prospect, probably during the school summer holidays.

“Our passengers have had a very poor deal from TfL with replacement buses that missed out half the stations, limited refunds and some passengers having to pay more in fares for longer journeys. 
“Now they have more of the same to look forward to.

“BGORUG has asked the Chair of the London Assembly Transport Committee, Caroline Pidgeon, to investigate the whole electrification project.”