Network Rail is advising passengers to check before they travel this weekend, as buses will replace East Midlands Railways and Thameslink trains south of Luton.

On Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 October, engineering workers will be:

• continuing upgrade work on the overhead power lines on the St Albans to Luton section of the line south of Bedford;
• carrying out enabling work for the Radlett Strategic Rail Freight Interchange;
• completing other maintenance works aimed at improving the railway network’s safety and reliability.

The aim of the engineering work is to make passenger journeys to and from the East Midlands and London smoother, quicker and quieter.

It will also enable the railway to transport more freight in the future.

The overhead lines’ upgrade south of Bedford between St Albans and Luton will allow East Midlands Railway (EMR) to operate its new fleet of electric trains at up to 125mph.

Engineers will also relocate and upgrade overhead line equipment on the Midland Main Line between St Albans and Watford, in preparation for a new bridge.

The bridge will be installed underneath Midland Main Line tracks to enable future access between the railway and the Radlett Strategic Rail Freight Interchange.

This work is being carried out by industrial and logistics warehouse developer, SEGRO is building the bridge, which will be installed in December.

During the work, EMR and Thameslink will run an amended train service. Buses will replace all trains between Luton and Mill Hill Broadway, north of London St Pancras.

Passengers can plan their journeys this weekend using National Rail Enquiries or EMR’s and Thameslink’s social media channels and website.

“We recommend customers planning to travel to or from London this weekend (19 and 20 October) to check their journeys in advance by looking for updates on the EMR website.

Philippa Cresswell, Customer Service Director for East Midlands Railway