Rail passengers are being urged to check before travelling over the next two weekends, as work continues on the £1.5bn Midland Main Line Upgrade.

On the 18/19 and 25/26 July, engineers will carry out work to install the final section of the overhead line equipment in preparation for bi-mode trains to run on the line between Bedford and Corby via Kettering.

Work has already been carried out to test and commission two new substations on the route to provide the power for the trains.

Over the next two weekends, work will be carried out to test the electrical system, upgrade sections of the track and improve the surfacing of the platforms at Wellingborough and Kettering.

Various services between Sheffield/Nottingham/Derby and London St Pancras International will be affected by the work to enable it to take place safely.

Network Rail, East Midlands Railway and Govia Thameslink Railway are urging passengers to check before travelling.

Gavin Crook, Principal Programme Sponsor for Network Rail, said: “We would like to thank passengers for their continued patience whilst this essential part of the Midland Main Line Upgrade is carried out.

“This work to install the final section of the overhead line equipment and carry out vital testing is a major step towards the completion of the Midland Main Line Upgrade, which will bring improved, faster journeys for passengers, with more seats and a more reliable railway.

“We strongly advise passengers who must travel to check their journeys in advance with National Rail Enquiries or their train operator and allow plenty of time to travel.”

Lisa Angus, Transition and Projects Director for East Midlands Railway, said “We are advising any passengers who may need to travel to/from London over the weekends of 18/19 July and 25/26 July, to check our website as there is disruption to our services and rail replacements in place for part of your journey.

“The work taking place over these weekends is a significant milestone of the Midland Main Line upgrade. The final installation of the overhead line equipment will mean more reliable, faster journeys for our passengers in the future.

“As always, we thank our passengers for their patience whilst this crucial work is taking place.”

Jenny Saunders, Passenger Services Director for Thameslink and Great Northern, said: “Our services between Bedford and London are likely to be busier over the next two weekends than is usual currently, because of this important work further north. Also, trains will be replaced by buses for significant periods, so it will be especially important for people to consider whether they really need to travel, and to plan their journey in advance if they have to use public transport.

“Buses will replace Thameslink services between Bedford and Luton on both Sundays, between Bedford and St Albans during the night of Saturday 25 July, and between Hendon and St Pancras in the early morning of Sunday 19 July. If you do have to travel during any of these periods, please allow plenty of extra time for your journey.”

Details of the changes to trains can be found below:

• Saturday 18th July 2020
  • Trains to and from Sheffield and Nottingham will start and terminate at Market Harborough.
  • Rail replacement buses will be in operation between Market Harborough and Bedford and between Corby and Kettering.
  • Thameslink will operate between Bedford and London St Pancras.
• Sunday 19th July 2020
  • Trains to and from Sheffield and Nottingham will start and terminate at Market Harborough.
  • Rail replacement buses will be in operation between Market Harborough and Luton and between Corby and Kettering.
  • Thameslink will operate between Luton and London St Pancras.
  • Thameslink
    • Thameslink trains will not operate between Bedford and Luton, with rail replacement buses in operation.
    • Buses will replace trains between Hendon and London St Pancras until 08:55
    • Thameslink trains between Bedford and Gatwick Airport via Redhill will not run. A rail replacement bus service will operate between Gatwick Airport and Purley and this will call at Redhill.
• Saturday 25th July 2020
  • Trains to and from Sheffield and Nottingham will start and terminate at Leicester.
  • Rail replacement services will operate between Leicester and Bedford, and between Corby and Kettering.
  • Thameslink trains will run between Bedford and St Pancras.
  • Thameslink trains will not run between Bedford and St Albans from 11 pm on Saturday 25th July until 09:30 on Sunday 26th July 2020.
• Sunday 26th July 2020
  • Trains to and from Sheffield and Nottingham will start and terminate at Leicester.
  • Rail replacement services will operate between Leicester and Luton, and between Corby and Kettering.
  • Thameslink trains will run between Luton and St Pancras.
  • Rail replacement buses will operate between Bedford and Luton.

These amendments may be subject to change and passengers should check National Rail Enquiries for the latest information before travelling.

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