Overhead Line Equipment Upgrade: No trains between Bedford and Harpenden / London St Pancras International on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 May 

Route(s) affected

All East Midlands Railway services to / from London St Pancras International

All Thameslink services to / from Bedford

Description

Engineering work is taking place between Bedford and Harpenden, closing all lines. Background information on the work taking place can be found below.

East Midlands Railway:

No trains will run between Bedford and London St Pancras International.

An amended timetable will be in operation, with trains running to / from Bedford instead of London St Pancras International.

Replacement buses will run between Bedford and Hitchin, for alternative trains to / from London.

Thameslink:

Buses will replace trains between Harpenden and Bedford.

A revised train service will run between Harpenden and Brighton, West Hampstead Thameslink and Three Bridges, and between London Bridge and Rainham.

Check before you travel:

You can plan your journey using the National Rail Enquiries Journey Planner

Background Information:

Network Rail are upgrading the Overhead Line Equipment (OLE) between Luton North and Bedford. The wiring is being upgraded on this part of the Midland Main Line so that East Midlands Railway’s new greener fleet of bi-mode trains will be able to travel at up to 125mph on this section of the line. Head spans and some other OLE components that are life expired will also be replaced.

These improvements will ensure smoother and more reliable journeys for passengers travelling between South Yorkshire, the East Midlands, and London. More details on this project can be found on the Network Rail website.

Replacement Bus Travel Advice:

For helpful advice if you need to travel on a rail replacement service, including accessibility and bicycle information, please use our Rail Replacement Services page.

You can find the pick-up and set-down location of rail replacement services by checking station signage or by searching for your station on our Find a Station page.

Please be advised that replacement vehicles may be busier than usual, and you should allow extra time for your journey.