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Wednesday 16 Aug 2017

Sports fans heading to London are reminded rail services will be busier over the August bank holiday

Region & Route:

| North West & Central

Sports fans planning to travel with Chiltern Railways into London are being reminded that trains will be busier than usual over the August bank holiday due to the closure of Euston station.

Euston will be closed to trains on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 August while Network Rail reroutes a major power supply on behalf of HS2 Ltd as part of preparation for Britain’s new high speed railway. 

The knock-on effect will be extra passengers who would usually travel on the West Coast main line from Birmingham to London will be travelling on the Chiltern main line. This will mean that services on the Chiltern main line will be extremely busy with queueing systems in place at some stations.

Passengers are urged to plan their journeys, check before they travel and allow extra time on 26 and 27 August. 

Antonia Buckland, high speed rail sponsorship director for Network Rail, said: “The advice to passengers planning to travel by rail on the 26 and 27 August is clear: plan your journeys, check before you travel and allow extra time. Trains will be busier than usual and you won’t be guaranteed a seat.             

“This is because of work taking place at Euston which means that passengers will be taking alternative routes to get to and from London. Network Rail, HS2 Ltd and train companies are working together to give passengers plenty of warning and information to help minimise disruption as much as possible.”

The HS2 preparation work, part of Britain’s Railway Upgrade Plan, involves relocating a key power supply at Euston station to clear the way for future HS2-related work - an important early step towards delivering the first phase of the high speed line between the West Midlands and London. 

Rob Carr, programme director, HS2 Ltd, said: “HS2 is working closely with Network Rail to deliver a brand new high speed railway that will boost the UK’s economy and revolutionise rail travel in the UK - increasing capacity and better connecting cities in the Midlands and the north to each other, as well as to London.

“As a part of our extensive construction programme we are working hard to keep disruption to a minimum and appreciate the understanding of all passengers who are affected by the two day closure of Euston station.” 

Customers requiring mobility assistance are urged to book help in advance with their train operators. All customers are urged to check on www.nationalrail.co.uk for the very latest travel information. Further detail on these works can be found at www.nationalrail.co.uk/eustonworks.