Weekend closures on the Midland Main Line
Network Rail is carrying out significant work on the Midland Main Line. This is the section of the Thameslink network between St Pancras International and Bedford.
They are upgrading the overhead power lines above the tracks, so that new electric trains operated by East Midland’s Railway (EMR) can be introduced and run at higher speeds. You can find out more about this project on the Network Rail website.
At the same time, work is also being carried out to replace several bridges over the railway, to carry out early development and enabling works on the projects to improve accessibility at Luton and Flitwick stations, and on the construction of a new station at Wixams, near Bedford.
In addition, Network Rail is also carrying out track and drainage works along the route, which will make all services more reliable.
These projects require some weekend closures so that this work can be completed safely.
Upcoming closures
- Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 February buses replace trains between Bedford and Luton (Saturday) and between Bedford and Harpenden (Sunday)
- Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 March buses replace trains between Luton and Mill Hill Broadway
- Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 March buses replace trains between Luton and St Pancras International. In addition, there will be no cross-London Thameslink service from St Pancras International / Finsbury Park to London Bridge, Blackfriars or Sutton/Wimbledon
- Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 March buses replace trains between Luton and Mill Hill Broadway
- Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 April buses replace trains between Luton and West Hampstead
- Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 April buses replace trains between Luton and West Hampstead Thameslink
- Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 May buses replace trains between Luton and West Hampstead Thameslink
- Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 May buses replace trains between Harpenden and Bedford
- Saturday 31 May and Sunday 1 June buses replace trains between Bedford and Mill Hill Broadway
How will this affect my journey?
On all these dates, replacement buses will run and journeys will take longer, so you will need to allow extra time. On many weekends, we will also run buses across to stations on our East Coast Main Line route for alternative Thameslink or Great Northern trains to or from central London.
Visit our planned works calendar for more information about the date you’re travelling, and check and plan your journeys at nationalrail.co.uk.
There may also be changes to late night and early morning services. Details of those will always be shown in our planned works calendar.
Journey planners provide details of trains up to 12 weeks in advance.
When replacement buses are running, there may be reduced parking available at certain stations. Details will always be displayed at the affected locations.
Services run by EMR will also be impacted by these works. Please check their website for further information.
Are there any other works happening that could affect my journey?
Engineering work on other parts of the network may also impact your journeys from time to time. Always plan and check your journey before you travel at nationalrail.co.uk.