East Midlands Railway's (EMR) services between London St. Pancras and the East Midlands will be disrupted on weekends for the next two months because of major engineering work between Leicester and Kettering.
The engineering work forms part of the project to upgrade the Midland Main Line and electrify the line between London St Pancras and the East Midlands. When complete, bi-mode trains will be introduced that will provide greener, faster, and smoother journeys for passengers.
Work to be carried out includes lowering sections of the track and demolishing some bridges to provide more clearance for the installation of overhead electric lines. It will take place on Saturday, 4 and Sunday, 5 November, and on subsequent Sundays until the end of the month.
On those dates:
- between Kettering, Market Harborough, and Leicester, there will be no train services, with rail replacement bus services being provided in their place;
- East Midlands Railway's (EMR) ‘Connect' services will start and terminate at Wellingborough instead of Kettering or Corby.
On Saturday, 4 and Sunday, 5 November, engineers will take advantage of the closure to replace 670 yards of old track close to Leicester, including new sleepers, ballast, and rails to provide a smoother more reliable journey.
On selected dates throughout November and December, the upgrade overhead line equipment between Luton and Bedford will be upgraded to enable the operation of new trains with a maximum speed of up to 125mph.
Thameslink services between Luton and Bedford until 08.05 on the mornings of Sunday 5 and 26 November and 3 December when buses will replace trains and a revised timetable will be in operation between London St Pancras and Luton.
Gavin Crook, Principal Programme Sponsor for Network Rail's East Midlands Route, said: “We always endeavour to carry out engineering work with the least amount of disruption possible to passengers, but this work is essential in delivering vital upgrades to the Midland Main Line, providing benefits for years to come.
“Engineers are completing the next step in our ongoing Midland Main Line Upgrade project which will eventually allow passengers to experience more reliable, smoother, faster journeys between London and the East Midlands.
“We want to thank passengers in advance for their patience and understanding while we carry this work out and apologise for any disruption caused. We're urging passengers to check their journey before they travel via National Rail Enquiries or their train operator.”
Dave Meredith, Customer Services Director for East Midlands Railway said: “We are asking any customers planning to travel to or from London in November to allow plenty of time to complete their journey.
“An amended timetable will be in place on our Intercity route; trains will not call at Market Harborough on Saturday, 4 and Sunday, November. Our Connect services will also start and terminate at Wellingborough, instead of Kettering or Corby.
“Rail replacement buses will run between Kettering, Market Harborough, and Leicester.
“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: “On behalf of our passengers we're grateful to Network Rail for planning this major, complex work programme to cause as little inconvenience as possible. If you are planning to travel on these dates, though, please allow plenty of extra time and double-check your route before you set off.”
EMR are very sorry – but not sorry enough, it seems, to arrange ticket acceptance for alternative routes, eg London-Derby via Grantham