Passengers are warned of six weekends of disruption as engineering works on east London services kick off in June.

Rail users are being urged to check before travelling with critical maintenance and safety work starting from June 1.

The planned work is set to continue for six consecutive weekends impacting c2c services between Fenchurch Street and Barking.

Several tasks form part of the maintenance work for the engineering teams.

These include inspection of bridges, culverts, and structures between Fenchurch Street, East Ham, and Barking to check their condition, replacement of old rails at Fenchurch Street station and conducting general track maintenance around West Ham station.

The teams will also be focusing on avoiding potential drainage issues by inspecting sewers around West Ham, and clearing overgrown vegetation at various locations.

This clearance reduces the risk of falling trees or branches and obstructing signals, according to Network Rail.

Mark Walker, Network Rail Anglia route infrastructure engineer, said: "A well-maintained railway enables efficiency and safety.

"Although closing a busy line is never ideal, every improvement, inspection, survey, and maintenance task underscores our dedication to passenger safety and enhances service reliability for both passengers and freight operators.

"We appreciate the patience of all our customers during these necessary tasks."

The engineering work will be carried out over six consecutive weekends starting from Saturday, June 1 and Sunday June 2, and ending on Saturday, July 6 and Sunday, July 7.

c2c managing director Rob Mullen said: "The work Network Rail is carrying out during these weekends in June and early July is essential in keeping our services running safely and reliably in the longer term.

"We appreciate that for some of our customers these engineering works will impact their journeys and we would advise them to check before they travel at www.c2c-online.co.uk."

Rail passengers are advised to check their journey plans before travelling with National Rail enquiries or with c2c.

Passengers should allow extra time for their journey if affected by the engineering work.

As a result of service alterations, some alternative train services may be busier than usual.

Train services on the Basildon line and the Rainham line will be diverted to Liverpool Street, stopping at Stratford but bypassing Limehouse and West Ham.

Passengers with tickets can alternatively use the Jubilee line between Stratford and West Ham, or DLR services between Tower Gateway, Limehouse, and Stratford/West Ham.

The Rainham line services will continue as far as Shoeburyness.

Train services on the Ockendon line will be reduced to a rail shuttle between Upminster and Grays via Ockendon and Chafford Hundred.

Passengers travelling to London or Southend must transfer at Upminster or Grays.

On Saturday, June 15, the Fenchurch Street services on the Basildon line will take a different route and call additionally at Stratford, but not at West Ham.

Passengers can use Jubilee line services between Stratford and West Ham with their tickets on this day as well.