This Christmas, Network Rail will undertake significant upgrades on the Midland Main Line between London St Pancras and Bedford, aiming to support faster, greener East Midlands Railway (EMR) services in the future.
The work, scheduled for nine consecutive days from Saturday, December 21, to Sunday, December 29, is part of an investment to enable EMR’s bi-mode trains to reach speeds of up to 125mph, which is expected to provide smoother and more efficient journeys between London and the East Midlands.
To accommodate these improvements, the section of track between London St Pancras and Harpenden will be closed during this period, disrupting EMR and Thameslink services.
Network Rail will execute a range of essential upgrades, including:
• Overhead Line Upgrades: Continuing the modernisation of overhead lines between London St Pancras and Bedford to support the new bi-mode trains.
• Bridge Deck Replacement at Agar Grove: Replacing the bridge deck on a major road-over-rail bridge in Camden.
• New Access Bridge for Radlett Freight Interchange: Installing an under-rail bridge to improve access to the Radlett Strategic Freight Interchange.
• Safety and Reliability Enhancements: Conducting approximately 50 maintenance and renewal tasks, including vegetation management, track inspections, and signalling and power line upgrades to bolster the network’s safety and reliability.
During the upgrade period:
• EMR Services: There will be no EMR trains between London St Pancras and Bedford, with journeys to destinations on the Midland Main Line, such as Luton Airport Parkway, Bedford, Nottingham, Derby, and Sheffield, requiring longer travel times and replacement bus services.
• Thameslink Services: Thameslink will suspend all train services between London St Pancras and Harpenden, as well as between London St Pancras and London Bridge from December 27-29. Travellers northbound from London St Pancras will need to start their journeys from alternate London stations to reach bus connections.
Alternative routes for affected passengers include:
• EMR Passengers: Can travel via London Euston to Milton Keynes, where replacement buses will provide service to Bedford.
• Thameslink Passengers: Should use services from London Kings Cross to Hitchin or Potters Bar, then connect to buses serving Luton Airport Parkway, St Albans City, and Harpenden. Thameslink trains will resume from these points to Bedford.
• To support travellers, additional staff will be stationed along the route to provide assistance.
With multiple engineering works planned across the UK rail network during the Christmas period, demand on alternative routes, particularly CrossCountry services, is expected to surge. Passengers are advised to book journeys in advance, consider traveling at off-peak times if possible, and be prepared for potential delays due to limited space on replacement buses.
Travellers are urged to check schedules and plan connections early to navigate the disruptions, as Network Rail and train operators work to deliver a safer, more efficient railway system for the future.
Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Construction News
14/11/2024
Network Rail To Start Upgrades On The Midland Main Line This Christmas
Latest Construction News
21/11/2024
Stepnell has opened its new office in Liverpool, marking a significant step in the company's expansion into the North West. Building on its extensive experience delivering projects across the East and West Midlands as well as South of England, Stepnell is well positioned to serve a broader range ...
21/11/2024
Kier has announced a partnership with Sunbelt Rentals, naming the company as its official supplier of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) fuel. The move marks a significant step in Kier's efforts to reduce its carbon footprint and enhance sustainability across its operations. Over the next year, ...
21/11/2024
Esh Construction has been appointed to lead the next stage of one of the UK's most ambitious urban regeneration initiatives, Riverside Sunderland. In collaboration with Sunderland City Council, the company will deliver a £5.7 million package of infrastructure upgrades to drive forward this ...
21/11/2024
Families in Penarth will soon benefit from a new £22 million school designed specifically for pupils with Additional Learning Needs (ALNs). Named Ysgol Llyn Derw by its students, the project is being delivered by Morgan Sindall Construction after the previous contractor, ISG, entered ...
21/11/2024
Europe's leading online cleanroom consumables supplier, Cleanroomshop, has recently launched a brand-new website, giving its users an improved user experience. The new website continues to offer over 2,000 products from more than 40 brands, whilst incorporating a new look and more efficient ...
21/11/2024
At Ecomerchant, we offer a carefully curated selection of sustainable weatherproofing solutions, including natural lime renders, mineral finishes, and vapour-open waterproofing materials. They help prevent structural damage while ensuring your building can breathe naturally. Our eco-friendly ...
21/11/2024
The Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) has launched a public consultation on its proposal to close the Moorgate Halt level crossing in Uppermill, Saddleworth, and replace it with an upgraded public right of way. The TRU project aims to transform rail journeys across the North of England by offering ...
21/11/2024
The GRAHAM Hydrogen Conference recently brought together leading voices in the construction industry to explore hydrogen’s potential as a cornerstone of a net-zero future. The event drew positive feedback from attendees and the critical role hydrogen can play in achieving sustainability goals. The ...
20/11/2024
Construction firm Willmott Dixon has partnered with Westminster City Council on a £36 million project to restore the historic Seymour Centre in Marylebone, a Grade II listed building dating back to the 1930s. The project, procured through the SCF framework, will see the three-storey centre undergo ...
20/11/2024
The Hill Group has commenced work on a new development in Billericay, Essex, which will deliver 179 high-quality homes across a 20-acre site. Designed to blend with Billericay's scenic countryside while addressing the pressing demand for sustainable housing, the project is located on Kennel Lane ...