Major upgrades are set to take place on the Midland Main Line impacting journeys both in and out of London. Passengers planning to travel using the route on Saturday the 17th and Sunday the 18th of June are advised to plan their travel ahead.
The upgrades will see engineers working day and night in order to renew signals at West Hampstead in north-west London, alongside completing track upgrades in Harpenden in Hertfordshire.
Further upgrades come as part of the Midland Main Line upgrade project, which aims to create a cleaner and more environmentally friendly railway. The work will see electrification work carried out south of Bedford, alongside two new substations at East Hyde near Luton and Napsbury near St Albans, which will support more trains to operate through the section of the line.
Work will also take place in Nottinghamshire with track upgrades being carried out between Attenborough and Beeston, which will create an improved travel experience for passengers and a more reliable railway for the region.
The major upgrades will see changes made to services operating between Derby and Nottingham with rail replacement buses running in place of trains between Luton and West Hampstead on Saturday the 17th of June and also between Luton and London St. Pancras International on Sunday the 18th of June.
No East Midlands Railway services will operate south of Luton however, buses will be available in order to access the East Coast Main Line at Hitchin which will allow passengers to catch a train into London King's Cross. The rail operator will also have a limited service in operation between Nottingham and Luton, which will feature longer journey times than usual. Rail replacement buses will also replace trains between Nottingham and Derby.
Thameslink services which operate between West Hampstead/Kentish Town and London St. Pancras International will be limited on Saturday the 17th of June. Sunday the 18th of June will see no Thameslink services will operate between Luton and London St. Pancras International.
Rail replacement buses will operate between the following locations on both Saturday the 17th and Sunday the 18th of June:
- Luton Airport Parkway and Hitchin via Luton
- Harpenden and Potters Bar via St Albans
- Luton and London St Pancras International, calling at all stations except Kentish Town. Passengers travelling to Kentish Town will benefit from ticket acceptance on London Underground and TfL Buses
- Derby and Nottingham
Rail replacement buses will operate in the following locations on Saturday 17 June only:
- Luton and West Hampstead Thameslink
Steve Hopkinson, Operations Director for Network Rail in the East Midlands, said: “I'm pleased that we're pushing ahead with this work on the Midland Main Line and between Derby and Nottingham. Our continued work to electrify the Midland Main Line is incredibly important and will lead to a cleaner and greener railway in our region, whilst track upgrades in the East Midlands will make sure that we can continue to maintain a safe and reliable railway.”
“I'd like to thank passengers for their patience whilst we carry out these upgrades and remind passengers to check their journey before setting off.”
Neil Grabham, Customer Services Director for EMR said: “We are asking any customers planning to travel on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 June to plan ahead and allow plenty of time to complete their journey.”
“Online journey planners are available at https://www.eastmidlandsrailway.co.uk/”
“We would like to thank our customers for their patience whilst the engineering work along the Midland Main Line is taking place.”
Jenny Saunders, Customer Services Director for Govia Thameslink Railway, said: “We join Network Rail in thanking our passengers for their patience. These essential projects will make rail travel in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and North London more reliable and sustainable.”
“Buses will replace Thameslink trains between Luton and London over the weekend, so please plan ahead and allow extra time for your journey.”
What about 2 new railway stations to be built on the Midland Main Line including Brent Cross West and Wixhams. When are they due to open as Thameslink will mostly serve those new stations once they have been completed.
Brent Cross West opening this Autumn, possibly sooner. Bedford Borough Council plans for Wixams to be open by the end of 2024.