Rail passengers warned of weekend disruption

Trains running south of Bedford will be replaced by buses across two weekends in September

Rail passengers have been warned to expect disruption as part of a line is closed for improvement works this weekend.

There will be no trains between Luton and Bedford on Saturday and Sunday, but there will be a bus replacement service in operation. EMR and Thameslink will run a revised service on the rest of the line.

The engineering works will also continue on 28 and 29 September.

Network Rail is upgrading existing overhead lines and installing new specialist equipment that allows trains to cross from one track to another south of Bedford.

Once work is completed, EMR will be able to run its new fleet of electric trains up to 125mph on this part of the line.

Trains are currently only able to travel at a maximum speed of 100mph in this section.

This is done by adding more weight to the wires, so there is more tension and less bounce when trains travel faster along the line.

The project to improve overhead line equipment between Hendon, Luton and Bedford started in September and is expected to be completed by the summer of 2025.

Trains will be able to travel faster after work is completed

It is expected more work will take place on 19 and 20 October that will affect services between Mill Hill and Luton.

Gavin Crook, principal programme sponsor for Network Rail’s East Midlands route, said: “Upgrading the overhead line equipment and installing new switches and crosses is vital in the wider Midland Main Line electrification project to bring passengers smoother journeys."

Passengers are encouraged to check their journey across the weekend and expect travelling to take longer than usually expected.