WEST Ham fans have expressed outrage over the planned closures on the Southend to Liverpool Street train line which could ruin their plans for the Christmas fixtures.

The Hammers will take on Newcastle United at the London Stadium in Stratford on Saturday, December 23 and supporters will have to use replacement bus services during the planned closures from that day until New Year’s Day.

Hammers fan James Gladwin, 40, of Coppens Green, Wickford, thinks starting the work on December 23 will prove to be a total nightmare.

He said: “This is a perfect storm isn’t it? West Ham at home, last Saturday for Christmas shopping and there will be people going into London in order to get away for Christmas.

“What an absolute nightmare this could end up being.

“In fact, I might walk to the game, it’ll probably be quicker.

“To be honest, I might as well set off now!”

The game against Newcastle could see up to 20,000 fans from south Essex attempting to get to the London Stadium.

The work is part of the £250million project Network Rail will begin in October to upgrade the wiring systems on the line.

One key area is a ten kilometre stretch near Ilford, which will impact on train journeys to Stratford.

Chris Henderson, 22, a graduate of Montague Way, Billericay, said: “It is unbelievable that a journey for fans that takes half an hour maximum should be turned into an hour-and-a-half. It is a big game close to Christmas which a lot of people will want to go to and this just means many might not have the chance. Standing on a busy train to games is tough enough but a packed bus just should not be an option.”