Disruption between Bedford and Luton Airport Parkway expected until 18:00 

Route(s) affected

East Midlands Railway services between Bedford and Three Bridges / Brighton, and also between Luton and Rainham (Kent)

Thameslink services between Sheffield / Corby / Nottingham, and London St Pancras International

Description

A fault with the signalling system in the Luton Airport Parkway area means all lines are disrupted. As a result, trains may be delayed by up to 30 minutes, cancelled or revised.

Disruption is expected until 18:00.

East Midlands Railway customer advice:

Trains running through the area in both direction may be delayed by 30 minutes between Luton and London St Pancras International. You should continue to travel as originally planned.

You may use your original ticket at no extra cost with Thameslink between Bedford and London St Pancras International in both directions.

Buses will now shuttle between Kettering and Corby. The journey time by road between Kettering and Corby is approximately 20 minutes.

You can find information about the bus pick up points for Corby and Kettering.

How do I get where I need to be?

East Midlands trains are likely to experience extended delays or alterations. You should use alternative routes which will be most comfortable and the quickest way to get where you need to be. Your ticket can be used at no extra cost to travel via the following alternative routes:

Sheffield

You may travel to Doncaster using Northern and TransPennine Express where you should change for an LNER train to London Kings Cross. It is likely to take between 2 and 2.5 hours to complete this journey. LNER, who run the trains between Doncaster and London Kings Cross recommend booking a seat reservation. This can be done up to 5 minutes before the train departs.

Derby / Chesterfield

You may travel to Birmingham New Street using CrossCountry trains where you should change for an Avanti West Coast or London Northwestern Railway train to London Euston. It is likely to take between 2.5 and 3 hours to complete this journey.

Nottingham

You may travel to Grantham where you should change for a train to London Kings Cross. It is likely to take between 2 and 2.5 hours to complete this journey. LNER, who run the trains between Grantham and London Kings Cross recommend booking a seat reservation. This can be done up to 5 minutes before the train departs.

Leicester

You may travel to Nuneaton using CrossCountry trains where you should change for an Avanti West Coast or London Northwestern Railway train to London Euston. It is likely to take 2 hours to complete this journey.

Kettering / Wellingborough / Bedford

We have made arrangements for some Intercity services to call additionally at Kettering / Wellingborough and Bedford.

Corby

Replacement buses will operate between Corby and Kettering.

Luton / Luton Airport Parkway

You may travel to / from London St Pancras International lower level platforms with Thameslink between London St Pancras and Luton / Luton Airport Parkway. If your journey starts / ends north of Bedford, please change at Bedford to connect with EMR Intercity services.

All of these alternative route options are available in the opposite direction too. Don’t worry about your ticket, other train operators know about the disruption to your journey and your ticket can be used at no extra cost on their trains.

You can see a guide with lots of useful information about what to expect when travelling via London Kings Cross and London Euston.

Thameslink customer advice:

Delays of around 20-30 minutes are possible between Bedford, Luton and St Albans City this morning, affecting trains travelling in both directions.

Some short notice alterations / cancellations are possible as a result. Some services may have cancelled stops, or will terminate and restart at a different station to normal.

For most journeys, you can still travel using your normal route, but you may need to change trains en route or use a different train than planned in order to complete your journey today. Please allow extra time - we'd advise at least an extra 20 minutes.

Tickets will be accepted for no extra cost on:

• East Midlands Railway services between Bedford, Luton, Luton Airport Parkway and London St Pancras International.

• Metrobus services on any reasonable route between Redhill, Earlswood, Salfords, Horley, Gatwick Airport and Three Bridges.

Planning your journey:

You can see use a live map of the network and live departure boards. This will show where your journey is likely to be affected. You can also check the alternative route guide to help you plan your route.

You can also use Thameslink's app to find up-to-date information.

Can you tell me more about the incident?

Trains may be delayed due to a signal fault in the Luton Airport Parkway area. If a signal cannot display the usual lights, trains must travel at reduced speed.

Railway signals warn drivers when they need to stop. Normally, a green light means the track is clear, while yellow signals warn of a red light ahead.

Signalling works on "fail-safe" principles. If a signal cannot change properly, it defaults to a more restrictive setting, causing trains to slow down even if the track is clear.

Network Rail maintains the system, and are working to fix the fault as quickly as possible. In the meantime, Thameslink are monitoring services and doing their best to keep to the timetable.

Check before you travel:

You can check your journey using the National Rail Enquiries real-time Journey Planner.

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.

Compensation:

You may be entitled to compensation if you experience a delay in completing your journey today. Please keep your train ticket and make a note of your journey, as both will be required to support any claim.