The Elizabeth line in east London was closed on all weekends last month - leaving some furious.

Network Rail has been carrying out track and drainage work on consecutive weekends from February 4 to March 12 that impacted the line between Shenfield and Whitechapel, with rail replacement bus services in operation via Newbury Park.

Residents took to social media to share their frustration over not being able to travel into the city for a prolonged period.

The Elizabeth line connected east London directly to the heart of the city in November last year, with commuters previously having to take the Overground from Romford to Upminster to travel to London or change trains from Liverpool Street.

Terence Bone commented on Facebook: “Elizabeth line is a joke, the people on the Shenfield branch were promised so much and received so little”.

Danny Lovesey, a teacher from Harold Wood, told this paper how the closures have added to the travel time, saying: "They had years to prepare for this...it has added lots of time on journeys and sometimes difficult to get home in the evenings or requiring to get taxis if I miss the last bus/train home."

Transport for London, which runs the Elizabeth line, directed this paper to Network Rail when contacted.

A Network Rail spokesperson said: "We’re sorry for the disruption being caused on the mainline into London Liverpool Street over the last few weekends for Elizabeth line and Greater Anglia passengers.

"The heavy use (on the busy route) means we have to undertake more periodic maintenance to keep the track in a good and safe condition. This coming weekend is the last weekend of disruption and the main line will be open again from 18 and 19 March."