Network Rail announce engineering works and Easter closure of Milton Keynes-London line

Network Rail has announced engineering works that will require closure of the West Coast Main Line between Milton Keynes and London over the Easter weekend.

Between April 3rd and 8th, engineers will carry out a large programme of improvements to modernise ageing railway infrastructure, increase reliability and support future growth on the main line that connects London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, North Wales and Glasgow.

Maintenance work confirmed includes an £8.4m project to conduct essential track work will take place at Willesden in North London, including the renewal of switches and crossings (moveable sections of track that guide trains from one track to another), and installing new railway foundation stone (ballast).

There will also be work on a bridge in Ledburn, just south of Leighton Buzzard, which will see a £6.6m investment in waterproofing the bridge to prevent future damage to the structure. Engineers will also complete over £7m of signalling upgrades nearby, which will help to reduce failures and improve the reliability of journeys.

Over £8m will also be spent on a renewal of overhead line equipment near Wembley to enhance safety and power resilience, while £2m of enabling works will be carried out in Bushey as part of a project to upgrade the power supply that keeps trains moving in and out of London.

Harrow & Wealdstone station will see a £5.8m investment in repairs to the station canopies and platform upgrades.

The scale of the projects means that no main line services will run between Euston and Milton Keynes Central for 6 days, with trains starting and terminating north of the closure.

Rail replacement services will be in operation to keep passengers on the move. London North Western Railway have recommended passengers use rail replacement services between Milton Keynes and Bedford then make onward connections via East Midlands Railway and Thameslink services to London St Pancras.

Passengers are encouraged to plan ahead by using www.nationalrail.co.uk, allow extra time to travel, expect any trains running to be busier and be prepared for part of their journey to be by rail replacement bus.

Gary Walsh Network Rail’s West Coast South route director, said, “There is a large amount of work taking place over the Easter bank holiday and until 8 April to improve the reliability of the West Coast Main Line for the millions of passengers and freight operators who rely on this route.

“There will be some major changes to journeys between Euston and Milton Keynes in this six-day period so we’re urging everyone who plans to travel over Easter to check their journey in advance at National Rail Enquiries.”

Chris Liptrot, Operations Director at Avanti West Coast, said, “While Network Rail carry out this essential work, we’ll be operating an amended timetable with journeys to and from London Euston involving changes or rail replacement buses. We strongly advise customers making journeys to or from London Euston between 3 and 8 April to plan ahead and check the National Rail website before travelling.”

Jonny Wiseman, customer experience director for London Northwestern Railway, said, “I would like to thank our customers for their patience while Network Rail carries out these essential upgrades to the railway over the Easter period.

“During this time it is important for passengers to plan their journeys carefully as rail replacement transport will be in operation and travel times will be extended.”

Further work is intended elsewhere on the network. The programme of work includes signalling and track upgrades between Preston and Oxenholme and overhead line equipment improvements between Preston, Lancaster and Fylde.