RAIL works will carry on over May’s bank holidays, despite promises by rail bosses that disruptive works would not continue after Easter.

Clacton MP Douglas Carswell met Network Rail bosses on Thursday and said he was given assurances that weekend rail disruption will come to an end after Easter.

But following an inquiry by the Gazette, Network Rail admitted there would be further works during the early and late May bank holidays – sparking fears it will hit tourism on the Sunshine Coast.

“The service has been terrible,” said Mr Carswell. “Replacement bus services mean that an hour and 20 minute trip to London has taken over three hours at weekends.

“This has really hit Clacton and Walton businesses that depend on daytrippers. How is a seaside town supposed to prosper if the train service is so lousy?"

Mr Carswell added it was unacceptable for overrunning engineering works to wipe out Monday morning services for commuters.

Network Rail said “essential” track and overhead line upgrades on the line between London Liverpool Street and Norwich had been completed after eight weekends of work.

The firm said it needed to invest in the infrastructure to improve train services in the region.

A spokesman said: “We try our best to minimise the impact on passengers and do most of the work behind the scenes, but there are big pieces of work that can only be completed when the railway is clear of trains.”

Richard Schofield, Network Rail’s route managing director, said the “huge” amount of work completed had been vital to provide a consistent service.

“We understand the impact our work has on passengers and would like to thank them all for bearing with us while we got it done,” he said.