Wednesday 4 May 2022
Reliability boost for Bedfordshire’s railway this weekend
- Region & Route:
- Eastern
- | Eastern: East Midlands
Better journeys are in store for passengers travelling between London and the East Midlands, with key work to upgrade Bedfordshire’s railway taking place this weekend.
Around 740m of track will be renewed between Luton and Bedford as engineers continue to upgrade the railway. More reliable journeys will encourage more people to travel by train, and connect people with job, education and leisure opportunities.
On Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 May, buses will replace trains between Harpenden / Hitchin and Bedford, as well as changes to services along the route. Passengers are urged to plan ahead and check before they travel via National Rail Enquiries or their train operator.
This work is part of the Midland Main Line Upgrade and will eventually allow more trains to run at higher speeds under the overhead power lines. It’s the second of several weekends throughout 2022 where parts of the railway need to be closed so that teams can work safely.
Gary Walsh, East Midlands Route Director for Network Rail, said: “I know how important it is for our passengers to get to where they need to be, on time. So, it’s great to see the progress we’ve made so far to ultimately bring better, faster and more reliable journeys between London and the East Midlands.
“If you’re planning to travel this weekend, please plan ahead to avoid any inconvenience as we continue this vital work.”
Neil Grabham, Customer Services Director for EMR said: “We’re encouraging any passengers travelling to or from London this weekend to allow extra time for their journey, as there is a rail replacement service between Bedford and Hitchin.
“We would like to thank our passengers for their patience whilst the overhead line equipment between Luton and Bedford is upgraded.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Travel information
East Midlands Railway:
Trains will not run between Bedford and London St Pancras International.
Buses will be provided between Bedford and Hitchin, to connect with train services into London.
Saturday 7 & Sunday 8 May
Buses will run between Bedford and Hitchin every 15 mins.
Train services will be amended on the following routes:
- Services that normally run between Sheffield/Derby and Nottingham to London St Pancras will terminate at Bedford.
- Services that normally run between Corby and St Pancras will run between Kettering and Corby or Bedford and Corby.
Thameslink:
Saturday 7 May
Buses replace trains between Bedford and Harpenden.
Train services will be amended on the following routes:
- Services that normally run between Bedford and Brighton will run only between Harpenden and Brighton, to a slightly amended timetable.
- Services that normally run between Luton and Rainham will run only between Kentish Town and Rainham, to a slightly amended timetable.
Sunday 8 May
Buses replace trains between Bedford and Harpenden.
Train services will be amended on the following routes:
- Services that normally run between Bedford and Brighton will run only between Harpenden and Haywards Heath, to a slightly amended timetable. Thameslink services are unable to run to or from Brighton on this date because of engineering works which are taking place in the Preston Park area. Customers are advised to use Southern train services or replacement buses between Haywards Heath and Brighton.
- Services that normally run between Luton and Sutton will run only between St Albans and Sutton, to a slightly amended timetable.
- Services that normally run between West Hampstead / Kentish Town and Rainham will run only between Kentish Town and Gravesend, to a slightly amended timetable. There is engineering work taking place between Gravesend and Rainham.
Check before you travel:
You can plan your journey using the National Rail Enquiries Journey Planner
Replacement Bus Travel Advice:
For helpful advice if you need to travel on a rail replacement service, including accessibility and bicycle information, please use this page.
You can find the location of your bus replacement by checking station signs or by searching for your station on our station information pages.
Contact information
Passengers / community members
Network Rail national helpline
03457 11 41 41
Latest travel advice
Please visit National Rail Enquiries
Journalists
Louise Leighton
Media Relations Manager
Network Rail
07858 375508
louise.leighton2@networkrail.co.uk
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