Significant upgrades on the Midland Main Line are continuing over the weekends of Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 September, and Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 September.
The multi-million-pound upgrade project focuses on key improvements to the Midland Main Line, which will enhance the future performance of East Midlands Railway (EMR) services.
Engineers will work on upgrading the overhead lines that power trains and installing essential new switches and crossings south of Bedford.
The specialised pieces of equipment will enable trains to move between tracks more efficiently, contributing to smoother operations along the line, according to Network Rail.
The Bedford upgrades are part of a broader initiative aimed at preparing the line for EMR’s new fleet of electric trains, which are expected to travel at speeds of up to 125mph.
Once the entire scheme is completed, passengers can expect faster, more reliable, and quieter journeys between London and the East Midlands.
In addition to the Midland Main Line work, track upgrades are being undertaken in preparation for the Agar Grove bridge project, alongside drainage improvements between Radlett and Agar Grove.
These works are critical steps ahead of future infrastructure enhancements, said Network Rail, ensuring the rail system is ready for upcoming developments.
Gavin Crook, Principal Programme Sponsor for Network Rail’s East Midlands route, emphasised the importance of these upgrades: “This work will allow our teams to complete essential upgrades south of Bedford as part of the wider Midland Main Line scheme to bring passengers more reliable journeys.
“We encourage customers to plan ahead with their journeys to stay up to date with the latest information, and we would like to thank passengers for their continued patience.”
Philippa Cresswell, Customer Service Director for East Midlands Railway, acknowledged the impact on travel plans but stressed the long-term benefits of the project: “We recommend customers planning to travel to or from London on 21, 22, 28, or 29 September to check their journeys in advance.
“EMR services will be running where possible, but journey times may be longer with rail replacement buses in operation. We appreciate our customers’ patience as this vital work is carried out, which will ultimately result in more reliable journeys.”
Thameslink services will also be affected, with replacement buses scheduled between Bedford and Luton. Jenny Saunders, Customer Services Director for Thameslink, thanked passengers for their understanding: “We’ve arranged replacement buses to help you complete your journeys, so please plan ahead and allow extra time.”
Image credit: Network Rail.
