Media centre

Tuesday 19 May 2020

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

Region & Route:

Eastern

| Eastern: East Midlands

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