With little time remaining before an Overground line closes a rail user group is urging passengers to make the most of it.

Half of the Barking to Gospel Oak Overground line closes for electrification on Saturday (June 4) with the remaining half closing on September 24.

It will not reopen until February 2017 and passengers will have to wait until June 2017 before weekend services are restored.

Barking – Gospel Oak Rail User Group (BGORUG) is urging people to make the most of it this Saturday (May 28) as it will be the “last chance to use the line for a family day out”.

BGORUG Secretary, Glenn Wallis added: “The complexity of the job is one of the reasons why the rail industry has put off this much needed work for so long.

“It will also be hugely disruptive and potentially costly for the large numbers of commuters attracted to the line since TfL took over the service in 2007.”

Network Rail will install overhead wires to allow electric trains to operate over what is the last diesel only passenger railway line in north east London.

Ten bridges over the railway need rebuilding while the line has to be lowered in four locations to provide clearances for the 25,000 volt overheard cables.

The most difficult job will be lowering track and platforms at Walthamstow Queen’s Road station by as much as 50cm.