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Friday 27 Jan 2023

London Marylebone drainage upgrades for more reliable rail journeys

Region & Route:

North West & Central

| North West & Central: Central

Passengers are being advised to plan their journeys ahead of railway improvements which will protect tracks in and out of London Marylebone station from flooding.

Network Rail is carrying out major drainage upgrades from Marylebone to West Ruislip on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 February.

The weekend work will reduce the risk of flooding and prevent speed restrictions on the line north of London Marylebone, providing faster, more reliable journeys for passengers using the Chiltern main line.

Over the same weekend tracks will be shut so teams can prepare for the construction of the Small Dean Viaduct, which will carry the new HS2 line over the existing Chiltern main line south of Wendover.

While these important improvement projects take place, some sections of the Chiltern main line will need to close on 4 and 5 February.

Services will start and end at West Ruislip, with connections into central London on the Central and Metropolitan lines.

Passengers are advised that journeys will take longer and to check www.nationalrail.co.uk in advance so they know exactly what to expect during the essential work.

To keep passengers on the move rail replacement buses will be in operation throughout the railway improvements*.

Rail tickets will be accepted on London Underground Central, Metropolitan and Bakerloo lines and also on Great Western Railway services between London Paddington and Oxford.

Denise Wetton, Network Rail’s Central route director, said: “These drainage improvements to the Chiltern main line will mean better, smoother and more reliable journeys for passengers and freight in future.

“However, upgrading drainage systems like this means we have no choice but to close sections of railway to get to the drains beneath the tracks. I’d urge anyone wanting to travel over the weekend of 4 and 5 February to please check National Rail Enquiries to plan their journeys. I’d also like to thank passengers in advance for their patience.”

Trains will continue to run between:

• Between West Ruislip and Oxford/Leamington Spa/Birmingham Moor Street/Birmingham Snow Hill.
• Between Princes Risborough and Aylesbury.

Eleni Jordan, Chiltern Railways' commercial & customer strategy director, said: "We are pleased that Network Rail is undertaking these essential improvements on the Chiltern mainline. Ensuring that our infrastructure is fully equipped to deal with extreme weather will further enhance the customer experience for those travelling in and out of London Marylebone.

"Due to these works, our services will start and terminate at West Ruislip next weekend to connect to the London Underground network. If you are planning to travel on 4 or 5 February, please do check your journey ahead of time on the Chiltern Railways website or app. We'd like to thank our customers in advance for their patience while these vital works take place."

Industrial action by the train drivers’ union ASLEF is also set to affect journeys on Wednesday 1 and Friday 3 February. 

Passengers travelling over the weekend journeys are advised to check www.nationalrail.co.uk before making their journey.