Media centre

Wednesday 18 Nov 2009

LUTON BRIDGE REPLACEMENT BRINGS LONGER TRAINS A STEP CLOSER

Region & Route:

| Eastern

The dream of longer trains at Luton station is now a step closer as Network Rail prepares to remove and replace the railway bridge over Old Bedford Road.

As part of the £5.5bn Thameslink upgrade, Network Rail is extending the platforms at Luton station to allow longer 12-car trains to stop at the station from 2012, increasing the number of seats for passengers by 50%. To provide the necessary space to extend the platforms, the existing bridge which carries the railway over Old Bedford Road needs to be replaced.

The bridge replacement works are scheduled for April 2010 but Network Rail engineers will be working on site carrying out a programme of preparatory works from Monday 30th November which will allow them to remove the bridge safely.

Dyan Crowther, Network Rail route director, said: “The congestion-busting Thameslink upgrade will give passengers what they want – longer trains, more seats and more frequent services. Our work to extend the platforms at Luton station is right on track and the next step is replacing the bridge which will give us the space we need to complete this important work.”

To provide access to the work site and to ensure staff can work safely, Network Rail has been given permission to temporarily alter the road layout in Hucklesby Way and Midland Road between 30th November 2009 and April 2010. During this period, one lane of traffic will be suspended periodically on Hucklesby Way between 10pm and 6am. Signage will be displayed on site to redirect pedestrians to a crossing point and to advise motorists of the lane closure. The footpath in Midland Road, on the bridge side of the road, will be periodically closed for the duration of these works however pedestrian access will be maintained under the footbridge. Network Rail has worked closely with Luton Borough Council to ensure that disruption to pedestrians and motorists is kept to a minimum.

Dyan Crowther continued: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank the people of Luton, in advance, for their co-operation and apologise for any inconvenience caused during these essential works. We are doing everything we can to limit disruption to the local area and we hope people will bear with us while we deliver this project which will help make a real difference to rail services in Luton.”

Network Rail is holding a residents’ information session at Luton station on Tuesday 24th November from 4pm to 7:30pm to provide local residents and businesses with further information about the work. Network Rail’s Safety 365 Bus will be on site at Luton station, on its work site just off Midland Road, and staff will be on hand to discuss the work in more detail and answer any questions people may have about the development at Luton station.