Weekend services have been halted with immediate effect on London Overground’s Gospel Oak to Barking line as work starts to electrify the line.

The route, which includes Islington stations Upper Holloway and Crouch Hill, is set to close altogether in October, while a section further east is set to close in June.

Glenn Wallis, of the Barking to Gospel Oak Rail User Group (BGORUG) said: “Until May 29 the existing rail replacement buses will continue to operate, but Transport for London (TfL) intend bringing in new arrangements from June 4 when the Barking to South Tottenham section is closed. The remainder of the line to Gospel Oak closes on September 24.

“The line will reopen on weekdays only in February 2017. Full services are expected to resume in June 2017.”

Mr Wallis added representatives of the group had lobbied TfL to make sure commuters could use rail replacement bus services and would not have to pay extra for alternative travel.

The group is also pushing for TfL to bring four-car electric trains to the line in June 2017, 11 months earlier than currently envisaged by TfL.

“Passengers are going to endure many months of severe inconvenience while the work is carried out but the end result will be worth the pain,” Mr Wallis continued.

“Electrification will bring four-car trains to relieve the appalling peak period overcrowding. The introduction of electric passenger trains and some electric freight trains will improve air quality for both passengers and residents living near the line.”