Major engineering work to cause disruption on Midland Main Line over two weekends

Network Rail have issued the following press release about engineering work that will affect train services between Bedford and London over the next two weekends:

Network Rail is advising passengers to check before they travel as major engineering work will impact on services between Bedford and London St Pancras over the next two weekends.

Work is being carried out as part of the Midland Main Line Upgrade project and will see sections of track renewed and new overhead line equipment installed.

The Midland Main Line Upgrade will eventually see the introduction of bi-mode trains and will mean more reliable and greener journeys for passengers, alongside an increase in capacity between London and the East Midlands.

This work is the beginning of a project which will see overhead line equipment updated on the Midland Main Line, south of Bedford, which will allow for the new trains to run at 125mph.

Owing to industrial action by ASLEF, no trains or replacement buses will run on the Midland Main Line on Saturday 30 September.

On Sunday 1 October and through until 05.30 on Monday 2 October, and between 23.00 on Friday 6 October and 05.45 on Monday 9 October, no East Midlands Railway (EMR) trains will run between Bedford and London St Pancras stations, and no Thameslink services will run between Bedford and West Hampstead Thameslink.

Replacement bus services will operate on Sunday 1 October, and the weekend of 6 and 7 October, and will run between Bedford and West Hampstead Thameslink. For connecting rail services to and from London King’s Cross, buses will also run between Bedford and Hitchin, Luton Airport Parkway and Hitchin, and St Albans and Potters Bar. [See Notes to Editors for details.]

Gavin Crook, Principal Programme Sponsor for Network Rail, said: “We know that these works will cause disruption to passengers’ journeys over the two weekends and, for that, we apologise, but this work is vital to delivering long term improvements to passenger experience on the Midland Main Line.

“We’re encouraging all passengers to check before they travel via National Rail Enquiries or their train operator and to leave extra time for their journey as this work will incur additional journey times. We want to thank all passengers for their patience and understanding while this work is carried out.”

Dave Meredith, Customer Services Director for East Midlands Railway said: “We are asking any customers planning to travel to or from London on Sunday 1 October, Saturday 7 October or Sunday 8 October to plan ahead and allow plenty of time to complete their journey.

“Rail replacement bus services will keep customers moving on both weekends between Bedford and Hitchin, connecting rail services between Hitchin and London King’s Cross.

“On Saturday 30 September, there is industrial action taking place and therefore we are unable to run any services on this day, please do not attempt to travel.

“We would like to thank our customers for their patience whilst the engineering work along the Midland Main Line is taking place.”

Jenny Saunders, Customer Services Director for Govia Thameslink Railway, said: “We thank passengers for their patience during Network Rail’s modernisation programme, which is increasing capacity, sustainability and reliability on this important route. Please allow plenty of extra time when planning and checking your routes.

“We are also sorry for the continued inconvenience caused to our customers by the ongoing industrial action.”