Overhead electric wires are being renewed on the approach to London Euston by Network Rail to reduce delays for passengers in hotter weather.
Over the coming four weeks, overnight work to replace the cables will take place in Camden.
During hot weather, overhead wires can sag, and then can be caught on passing trains and be torn down.
When this damage occurs, the railway must be closed for repairs to take place, trains will become stranded, and passengers disrupted.
James Dean, Network Rail’s West Coast Main Line South route director, said: “With extremes in temperature now becoming more common in Britain it’s necessary for us to make sure our railway equipment can withstand the changing climate. This overnight work will help stop sagging of the cables, reducing the risk of them coming down and making the West Coast main line more reliable for tens of thousands of passengers travelling into Euston every day.”
The work will see the installation of 2,000 metres of new overhead cable, renewal of essential equipment, and use of special machines to ensure the new wires are at the correct tension.
Passengers are being advised there will be changes to some trains:
- Between 8 pm and 8 am on Monday 25 May – Friday 4 June.
- Overnight on Thursday 4 June to Friday 5 June
- Between 8 pm and 8 am on Monday 15 – Friday 19 June 2020
Gus Dunster, executive director of operations at Avanti West Coast, said: “As Network Rail carry out upgrade works on the overhead lines at Camden, there will be alterations to our weekday services to and from London Euston. On Monday to Friday, between 8 pm and 8 am, arrival and departure times at London Euston will change. On Thursday 4 June, there will be significant changes after 8 pm – with some services starting from and terminating at Watford Junction. If customers are making an essential journey during this time, we strongly recommend they check before they travel, plan their journey in advance and make a reservation. For journeys on Thursday 4 June, we strongly advise travelling before 8 pm.”
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