Major engineering work between Kettering and Wigston, and Bedford and Luton will cause severe disruption on Sundays for the next month to services by East Midlands Railway (EMR), and Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR).
The work is being carried out as part of the upgrading of the Midland Main Line on Sundays 21 April and 5, 12, and 19 May.
Whilst the work is in progress, rail-replacement bus services will be provided from 00.05 to 08.05.
Between Kettering and Wigston, new overhead wires are being installed, and between Bedford and Luton, the existing overhead line equipment will be upgraded.
Once the work is completed, East Midland Railway trains will be able to run at 125 mph, resulting in faster, journeys between the East Midlands and London.
Maintenance work to improve reliability will take place this Saturday, 20 and Sunday, 21 April on Thameslink lines through central London, which means there will be no Thameslink services between St Pancras and London Bridge or Sutton/Wimbledon.
On Sunday, 21 April
- Buses will replace Thameslink trains between West Hampstead Thameslink and St Pancras International.
- Thameslink services will not call at Kentish Town all that day.
Saturday, 18 and Sunday, 19 May
- A reduced train service will operate between Sheffield / Nottingham and London St Pancras with a diversion between Kettering and Wigston.
- Rail replacement bus services will operate between Leicester, Market Harborough, and Kettering.
- A reduced train service will operate between Radlett and Cricklewood because Network Rail will be installing new switches and crossings.
Work to deliver major upgrades to the Midland Main Line is ramping up and our engineers will be working hard throughout weekends in April and May to deliver these improvements.
We always try to minimise disruption to passengers when carrying out work which is why we are working overnight to upgrade existing overhead line equipment, but some work needs an extended period to be completed.
Passengers should check their journey before travelling so that they are up to date with the latest information. We want to thank them for their understanding and patience as this work is carried out
Gavin Crook, Principal Programme Sponsor for Network Rail's East Midlands route
We are strongly advising customers planning to travel throughout April and May to check their journeys in advance by looking for updates on the EMR website.
Engineering work will affect EMR services and customers should expect extended journey times with rail replacement buses and amended timetables in place.
We would like to thank our customers for their patience whilst the engineering work to electrify the Midland Main Line takes place. This work will greatly benefit our customers in the future with more reliable, quicker journeys to and from London.
Dave Meredith, East Midlands Railway Customer Services Director
We thank our customers for their patience and understanding while Network Rail are modernising the infrastructure on this important route. Please plan ahead, and double-check your route before you set off, allowing plenty of extra time if you need to use replacement buses or other alternatives.
Jenny Saunders, Thameslink and Great Northern Customer Services Director
