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Friday 23 Jan 2015

Passengers reminded to check before they travel as vital work to improve the main line into St Pancras International continues

Region & Route:

East Midlands Trains passengers are being reminded of changes to their journeys next weekend (January 31 and February 1) when essential improvement work takes place on the main line into St Pancras International.

Network Rail will be improving the track and overhead lines between St Pancras and Kentish Town meaning East Midlands trains will not be able travel further than West Hampstead and some trains will terminate at Luton.

Justin Page, Network Rail area director, said: “This investment is absolutely vital to help us deliver a better service for passengers. We know that people’s journeys will be disrupted but it is only by improving our infrastructure that we can deliver the safe and reliable railway that many people rely on. We would like to thank passengers in advance for bearing with us over these weekends as it will mean some changes to their travel plans.”

Neil Micklethwaite, Customer Service and Commercial Director for East Midlands Trains, said: “This work is essential for Network Rail to undertake and we understand this will have a significant impact on our customers travelling to and from London on January 31 and February 1. If there are customers who do not need to travel on that particular weekend, we would suggest they choose an alternative day to travel where possible.

“We have contacted all passengers who have already booked assisted travel to explain the options available and I would like to take this opportunity to urge all of our passengers who will be travelling and cannot put off their journey, to make sure they check before they travel."

Anyone travelling with East Midlands Trains will be able to use their rail ticket to take the tube to make their connections but this is not a step-free route. Anyone who can put off their journeys on this weekend is suggested to do so. Passengers with restricted mobility who do decide to travel are advised to call the assisted travel line on 03457 125 678.

During the weekend, Network Rail will be upgrading sets of points, which allow trains to move from one track to another, at Kentish Town and St Pancras. We will also upgrading overhead lines at St Pancras, and carrying out signalling work associated with the £6.5bn Thameslink Programme at West Hampstead.

Network Rail carries out as much work at night as possible, however, due to the nature and volume of work, weekend closures are sometimes necessary. Passengers are advised to check www.eastmidlandstrains.co.uk/information/media/Disruption-Information/Making-Improvements-to-Your-Railway/ or @EMTrains or @TLRailUK on Twitter for details before travelling.