Passengers who must travel on Midland Main Line urged to plan ahead this Bank Holiday weekend as Network Rail carries out vital track upgrades

Network Rail has issued the following press release about the impact of engineering work on Bank Holiday weekend train services:

Network Rail is urging passengers who must travel on the Midland Main Line this Bank Holiday weekend to check before travelling as vital work to upgrade the track between Kentish Town and Radlett takes place.

Between Saturday, 23 and Tuesday, 26 May, Network Rail engineers will work to replace a junction on the route, as well as renewing 300 metres of track. The work will create a more modern and reliable railway with smoother journeys for passengers. To allow the work to take place safely, there will be changes to services for both East Midlands Railway and Thameslink customers over the Bank Holiday weekend, with diversionary routes and bus replacement services in place.

• No trains will run between Kettering and Corby or between Mill Hill Broadway and London St Pancras International. Bus replacement services will be in place
• Trains to/from London St Pancras will run to an amended timetable
• Reduced service between Bedford and Harpenden/Mill Hill Broadway
• East Midlands Railway services will not call at Luton Airport or Luton Airport Parkway

Passengers who must travel over the weekend are urged to check before travelling via National Rail Enquiries or with their train operator. Those who must travel are advised to allow extra travel time. All of the work taking place over the Bank Holiday weekend is being carried out in line with Public Health England guidance.

Gary Walsh, Route Director for Network Rail’s East Midlands Route, said: “Over the Bank Holiday weekend, Network Rail teams will be out working to improve reliability on the Midland Main Line, something which is particularly important during the Covid-19 crisis as critical workers, such as doctors, nurses and supermarket workers, as well as freight services transporting medical and food supplies, rely on the railway.

“We strongly advise those who need to travel over the Bank Holiday weekend to check before travelling via National Rail Enquiries or with their train operator and we would like to thank people for following the Government’s advice on public transport use. Please continue to avoid public transport where possible, and where you do have to use it, follow the guidance on social distancing and allow more time for your journey.”

Lisa Angus, Transition and Projects Director for East Midlands Railway, said: “We are advising any passengers who may need to travel on the Midland Main Line over the Bank Holiday weekend to check our website as there are a number of changes to our services that may affect your journey.

“As always, we thank our passengers for their patience whilst this vital work is taking place”.

Jenny Saunders, Customer Services Director for Thameslink and Great Northern, said: “We thank our passengers who need to travel over the weekend for their patience while Network Rail carry out this vital track renewal, which will help improve the reliability of services.

“There will be no Thameslink services between Mill Hill Broadway and St Pancras, where a replacement bus service will run, and a reduced service on many Thameslink routes for various periods over the three-day weekend.

“Please follow the government advice to travel only if absolutely necessary, and to avoid public transport if at all possible. If you really have to use a train or bus, it is important to check routes and times before you set off, follow social distancing guidance and wear a face covering if you can."

ENDS

Contact Information

Notes to editors

Detailed train information:

East Midlands Railway:

Trains to / from London St Pancras International will run to an amended timetable, with trains running slightly earlier or later than usual.

East Midlands Railway services will not call at Luton or Luton Airport Parkway, and at Bedford trains will pick up passengers only when running from London and let passengers disembark only when running towards London. Customers to / from these stations should use Thameslink services instead.

Buses will replace trains between Kettering and Corby.

Thameslink:

There will be no trains between Mill Hill Broadway and London St Pancras International.

One train per hour will run between Bedford and Harpenden / Mill Hill Broadway.

A reduced service will be in place between Gatwick Airport and London Bridge.

Trains between Brighton and Bedford will run between Brighton and London Bridge only.

Replacement buses will run between Mill Hill Broadway and London St Pancras International, and also between Luton and Stevenage, to connect with alternative Great Northern and Thameslink services.

Please note that Mill Hill Broadway is not a step-free station. Accessibility information is provided on posters along the route.

On Saturday the following alterations apply:

• Trains between London Blackfriars and Sevenoaks will run to a revised timetable
• Trains to / from Rainham (Kent) will run between Dartford and Rainham (Kent) only
• Sutton services will run to / from City Thameslink via Wimbledon

On Sunday the following alterations apply

• Sutton services will run to / from London St Pancras via Wimbledon

On Monday the following alterations apply:

• Trains between London Blackfriars and Sevenoaks will run to a revised timetable
• Trains to / from Rainham (Kent) will run between Dartford and Rainham (Kent) only
• Sutton services will run to / from London Blackfriars (extended to City Thameslink between 09:00 and 21:00) via Wimbledon.
• Use Southern services for Mitcham JunctionYou may use your ticket on London Underground between King's Cross St Pancras and Blackfriars / London Bridge, and also between London St Pancras and Mill Hill Broadway.
• You may also use your ticket on London Buses between London St Pancras and Mill Hill Broadway.