Network Rail is carrying out nine days of intensive engineering works to upgrade signals on the Norwich to Lowestoft and Norwich to Great Yarmouth routes, starting this weekend.

The company will also carry out engineering works for Crossrail and overhead line replacement this weekend and again on October 29.

Rail passengers have been urged to check services when travelling between Norwich, Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft from tomorrow.

Network Rail said it was installing a new signalling system on the Norwich to Great Yarmouth and Norwich to Lowestoft routes. The work will also affect some other services in north Norfolk and east Suffolk.

A Greater Anglia spokesperson said trains would run from Norwich to London as normal from Monday, October 23 up to and including Saturday, October 28.

“Families can enjoy half-term days out to London by train, taking advantage of special offers such as two for one on London attractions, kids for £2 and cheaper tickets with family travelcards,” said the spokesperson.

“Network Rail engineering works are taking place this weekend, October 21 and 22 and next Sunday, October 29, but you can still catch the train all the way from Norwich to Ingatestone and then take a rail replacement bus to the Central Line on the Underground at Newbury Park, which is quicker than catching the coach from Norwich to London.

“Trains are running direct from Norwich to London on Saturday, October 28.”

Jamie Burles, Greater Anglia managing director, said: “This Network Rail major signalling upgrade will ultimately enable us to run a much more reliable train service.”

Meanwhile National Express said it had seen a rise in coach bookings from Norwich during the half-term getaway. A spokesperson said: “Bookings on coach services between Norwich and London are up by as much as 50% this the weekend (October 21 and 22) while engineering works are set to disrupt trains.”

National Express Coach managing director Chris Hardy said: “The rail disruption is having a big knock-on effect with many more travellers opting to take the coach this half-term, especially to the airports.”