The Elizabeth line east of Stratford will be closed for the fourth weekend in a row – and it might not be for reasons you would expect.

While line and station closures for maintenance work are fairly common across the capital’s railways, these are usually to fix infrastructure faults.

But the closure of London’s newest line between Stratford and Shenfield each weekend this month, including today and tomorrow (February 24 and 25), has been partially blamed on the need for “de-vegetation” and litter removal.

Network Rail has said that workers will be managing “leaf fall”, as well as removing litter and graffiti, at each of the 13 affected stations.

There are also plans for overhead line work between Ilford and Goodmayes, as well as “inspection of culverts and structures” between Forest Gate and Shenfield.

Footbridge steps will also be replaced for passengers at Ilford station.

The works will also impact Greater Anglia services into central London.

There will also be no Overground trains between Romford and Upminster this weekend either due to engineering work.

Mark Walker, Network Rail Anglia route infrastructure engineer, said: "These works play an essential role to maintain the reliability and safety of our railway.

“Each improvement, inspection, survey, and maintenance task emphasise our commitment to passenger safety, and keeping our infrastructure in good condition on a heavily used part of the network into central London is very important.

“I’d like to thank all our customers for their patience while we carry out these essential tasks.”

Rail replacement bus services will be available from Stratford calling at all stations to Romford except Maryland.

For the outer stations, passengers can change at Chadwell Heath for a bus beyond Romford including Gidea Park, Harold Wood, Brentwood and Shenfield.

 Passengers can also take the Central line to Newbury Park underground station and transfer to a rail replacement bus service for Chadwell Heath and change to a bus for the outer stations.