• Network Rail is upgrading the railway between Luton and
Bedford this month as part of the Midland Main Line Upgrade
• Work will help to deliver better, more reliable journeys for
passengers in the East Midlands
• Buses replace Thameslink trains between Bedford and Luton on
Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 March – passengers should check
before they travel at nationalrail.co.uk
Better journeys are on track for passengers in the East Midlands, as Network
Rail continues to upgrade the railway between Luton and Bedford this month.
On Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 March, engineers will be upgrading the
overhead line equipment – which is used to power some trains – south of
Bedford.
As part of the largest upgrade to the Midland Main Line since it was
completed in 1870, this work will help to deliver better, more reliable
journeys for passengers and ultimately connect people to more job, education
and leisure opportunities.
This is the first of several weekends in 2022 where the railway will be closed
so that Network Rail teams can boost the power supply safely.
Limited services will run between Luton and Bedford on Saturday (19 March),
with buses replacing all trains between the two towns on Sunday (20 March).
Passengers are urged to check their journey with National Rail or their train
operator before travelling.
Gary Walsh, East Midlands Route Director for Network Rail, said: “We’re at a
really exciting stage of the Midland Main Line Upgrade, which will see us
boost the power supply south of Bedford and take us one step closer to
delivering better, more reliable journeys for passengers.
“Although we’ve packaged multiple projects together to keep disruption to a
minimum, I’d advise anybody who needs to travel to check their journey in
advance as there will be some changes to train services.”
Jenny Saunders, Customer Services Director for Thameslink and Great
Northern, said: “All day on Saturday and Sunday this coming weekend, buses
will replace our Thameslink trains between Bedford and Luton, with journeys
taking up to 30 minutes longer.
“If you’re one of those affected, then please
allow yourself extra time to travel. Thank you for your understanding.”
Work to enhance the historic platform canopies at Kettering and
Wellingborough stations will also continue over the weekend. While this is
done, rail replacement buses will transport passengers between Kettering
and Corby.
Neil Grabham, Customer Services Director for East Midlands Railway, said:
“This work is another important step in creating a more modern and reliable
railway for our customers. Any customers planning to travel on the 19th and
20th of March are advised to check our website and plan their journey in
advance, as we will be running a bus replacement service between Corby and
Kettering, as well as between Bedford and Luton.
“We would like to thank customers for their patience whilst these important
engineering works are taking place.”
