THE final touches have been put to a £104million upgrade of north-east Essex’s rail lines.

Rail bosses predict millions of passengers on the Clacton branch line and the Great Eastern main line will now begin to enjoy the benefit.

The work – including switching on a new “bi-directional” signalling system on the main line between Colchester and Marks Tey – means trains can now safely travel in either direction on both tracks on the line.

As a result, in future, trains will be able to bypass any problems affecting one track giving rail operators greater flexibility cutting delays. Important upgrades have already been completed on the branch lines to Colchester Town, Clacton and Walton as part of the same programme.

Patrick Hallgate, Network Rail’s regional route director, said: “The infrastructure on this part of the railway was like a classic car – unique, but becoming unreliable and expensive to maintain.

“Passengers in this part of Essex will now be among the first to benefit from Network Rail’s nationwide programme to upgrade signalling and make the railway safer and more reliable.

“Signal boxes and level crossings might not seem exciting, but it will make a difference to passengers.”