Passengers going on holiday, visiting a special event or travelling to see friends and family by train will be delighted to hear that 95% of the rail network will be open and ready for action this bank holiday weekend.

Some upgrade work will need to be carried out over the August Bank Holiday weekend and will see £90 million of improvements made on some routes which will, unfortunately, impact passengers with advice being given to check journeys ahead of travelling.

The essential work being carried out will bring improvements for future rail travel and bank holidays do offer the most efficient time to undertake such work. As leisure travel has increased strongly following the pandemic, Network Rail is eager to create as little disruption as possible in order to support leisure travel.

Andrew Haines, Network Rail chief executive, said:

“I’m pleased to say the vast majority of the railway will be open for business as usual this bank holiday, so passengers can rely on us to get them where they need to go as they make the most of their summers.

“Our teams will be delivering some upgrade works to improve future journeys for passengers, so we’re asking people to check before they travel and make sure their route isn’t affected.”

The vital upgrade projects which will take place over the August Bank Holiday weekend are as follows:

• HS2 piling works will take place at London Euston and will allow the delivery of the new high-speed railway. Due to the work, an amended, reduced timetable will be in operation between Northampton/Milton Keynes and London Euston.
• The rebuilding of busy junctions at Charing Cross and New Cross will bring improvements in reliability. The work means that changes will be made to Southeastern services for South East London and Kent with no trains running to Charing Cross or Cannon Street on Saturday the 27th and Sunday the 28th of August. A limited service will operate from Hastings/Tonbridge to London Bridge on both the 27th and 28th of August. London Bridge and Cannon Street will be fully reopened on Monday, with only Charing Cross still closed to trains.
• Resignalling work will take place from Hounslow to Virginia Water and will bring improvements in reliability. Due to this work, London Waterloo to Reading services will be altered and diverted between Clapham Junction and Virginia Water.
• Digital railway resignalling works will be carried out at Welwyn Garden City and will bring improvements in reliability. The work means that no Great Northern or Thameslink trains will operate between Finsbury Park and Stevenage via Welwyn Garden City on Sunday the 28th of August. Grand Central trains will be diverted and will see extended journey times.

Customers planning to travel can see how their journeys will be affected via National Rail Enquiries or with their rail operator.