Harlington station footbridge opens as notice given of weekend of Thameslink train changes

Network Rail has issued a version of this press release today:

A modern footbridge designed to last 120 years opened today (Thursday 9 April) at Harlington station to improve safety and long-term reliability.

The old footbridge will be removed during a busy programme of improvement work which will close the tracks between Bedford and Harpenden on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 April.

Improvement work will also be taking place on Harlington station's overhead line equipment, which was directly attached to the old bridge but will be free-running beneath the new structure.

Other planned engineering work to make the most of the line closure includes:

• track renewal at Flitwick, where five engineering trains and a tamper maintenance machine will install 642 metres of new rail, along with 2,760 tonnes of ballast and 1,008 concrete sleepers;
• further progress on the Access for All project at Luton station, to install an accessible footbridge and three lifts;
• drainage work at Harpenden station to prevent flooding, protect the railway and support safer, more reliable services for passengers.

The work means that on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 April:

• Buses will replace Thameslink trains between Bedford and Harpenden. Tickets can be used on East Midlands Railway (EMR) replacement buses between Bedford and Hitchin, and on Great Northern/Thameslink services between Hitchin and London.
• No EMR services will run between Bedford and London St Pancras. An amended service will run between Sheffield/Derby/Nottingham and Bedford, and between Corby and Kettering/Bedford. Replacement buses will run between Bedford and Hitchin, and tickets will be valid on Great Northern/Thameslink services between Hitchin and London.

On Saturday 18 April, a revised train service will run between Harpenden and Brighton, and between London Bridge and Rainham. Trains between Peterborough and Horsham will call additionally at Norwood Junction, South Croydon, Purley, Earlswood and Salfords.

On Sunday 19 April, a revised train service will run between Harpenden and Brighton, West Hampstead Thameslink and Three Bridges/Horsham/Sutton, London Bridge and Rainham.

Dan Matthews, Network Rail operations director, said:

“The footbridge project at Harlington is nearing completion and will improve safety and reliability for many years to come. The milestone of removing the old bridge is just one part of a packed programme of improvement work on 18-19 April.

“By co-ordinating this work with other key upgrades along the route, we’re keeping disruption to a minimum and helping passengers see the benefits as quickly as possible. We appreciate everyone’s understanding while these important improvements take place.”

Car park closure

The car park at Harlington station has been partly closed throughout the project to replace the footbridge. It will be fully closed from 10pm on Sunday 12 April to 11.59pm on Friday 24 April to allow Network Rail contractors to set up and break down their worksite.

The station will remain open to passengers throughout. Motorists are advised to travel to Leagrave or Luton stations while the car park is closed. Users with monthly, quarterly or annual car park tickets will be able to use Leagrave and Luton car parks at no extra cost.

Adrian Gogay, infrastructure director for Thameslink, said:

“The opening of Harlington’s new footbridge is really good news for our passengers and paves the way for the removal of the old bridge on 18 and 19 April. I would like to apologise that, with buses replacing trains between Bedford and Harpenden for this essential improvement work, journeys are going to take longer. The station car park will also be completely closed for 12 days. Please do plan ahead, allow more time and check the latest online before setting out – especially if you are travelling to Luton Airport.”

Philippa Cresswell, customer experience director for East Midlands Railway said:

“We’re working closely with Network Rail to support this important programme of improvements and keep customers on the move.

“We’re advising anyone travelling to/from London over the weekend of 18-19 April, to allow extra time to complete their journey. There will be rail replacement buses in place between Bedford and Hitchin.

“We’d like to thank customers for their patience; the completed works will help deliver a more reliable railway for customers in the future.”

Check with National Rail Enquiries or your train operator’s website for full details of your journey.