Network Rail released their 2009-2014 business plan on the 1st November. Assuming all the 'Proposed Enhancements' and 'Candidate Schemes' are fully funded and implemented we can look forward vastly improved service via Thurrock. The following details some key points taken from the business plans and our comments on them.

c2c's public performance measure is noted as 94.3%. Analysis of recent performance shows the main problems to be track circuit failures and overhead line faults. Services on the route have been affected by trespass incidents.

The government's HLOS (ie details of what the government are prepared to fund) expects that passenger km is to increase from 1,047  to 1,165 for the c2c & North London Line (which are treated as one entity by Network Rail) by 2013/14

The key milestones in meeting this demand for the c2c route are given by NR as follows:
 

On the c2c route it is assumed that either additional 357 units will be ordered or that class317s will be cascaded from West Anglia. It is calculated that around 20 additional 4 car units will be required and calculations show that is space for berthing these trains at East Ham and Shoeburyness depots.

(TRUG expect that a cascade of rolling stock is the more likely solution, especially as only 16 of the 74 existing class 357 trains are needed to run the off peak service. These additional trains would probably only run in the peak, or to cover for any major maintenance programmes on the 357 units)

Network Rail have identified the key performance issues and opportunities for this route as
 
• accommodating more and longer freight trains associated with traffic growth from the port of Tilbury;
• improving the condition of the overhead line through campaign changes of expired components;
• reducing the impact of trespass, vandalism and fatalities;
• reducing the impact of cable theft, focusing on protection of the return conductor;
• initiation of a ‘Right Time Railway’ project focusing on sub-threshold delays, the 2nd largest cause of PPM failure;
• timetable review to cater for passenger growth, focusing on the Tilbury services and increasing seating capacity country side of Pitsea;
• faster repair of S&C; and
• improved protection of the 650v signalling supply which is prone to rodent damage in urban areas.

The Business Plan notes the current committed schemes, due for completion by the end of the current control period (2009)
 

 The Business Plan notes the current PROPOSALS for the next control period (2009-2014)
 

The following are listed as Candidate Schemes for the Network Rail Discretionary Fund
(The Network Rail Discretionary Fund has come about from an agreement with the DfT, Transport Scotland and ORR to create a programme of small enhancement. Expenditure is generally limited to £5m per scheme but projects over this level may be included with the approval of the ORR. The NRDF Programme aims to take a lead role in identifying opportunities to enhance network value. NR is actively working with industry stakeholders who comment on and provide input into future planning, helping to address a wide range of small scale problems affecting both passengers and freight across the national rail network. Projects include initiatives to help ease congestion, enhance reliability, reduce journey time and generally improve the experience of travelling by rail).
 

c2c have now launched a new service where you can get emailed or texted with alerts detailing disruptions to the services you catch.

Details can be found here