Trains between Milton Keynes and Northampton resume after Christmas closure

The railway line between Milton Keynes and Northampton has reopened for train services after a closure over the Christmas period.

Network Rail announced the closure of the section of the West Coast Main Line between 24 December and 5 January, with particular focus taking place on the replacement of tracks at Hanslope Junction between Wolverton and Northampton stations.

The company that maintains the UK’s railway infrastructure said that the upgrade to all 4 railway lines on the West Coast Main Line along a mile-long section of track replaced to improve future journeys for passengers and freight operators.

Hundreds of workers replaced 130 track panels across the junction, which Network Rail described as, “Britain’s biggest Christmas jigsaw”, while work also saw them renew the foundation stone known as ballast below the track, and overhauled points, switches and crossings.

Services resumed over the line this morning (05/01), with Network Rail releasing footage on social media of the first train passing over the junction at around 4am this morning.

The £26m project was a major part of multiple upgrades carried out by Network Rail between London and Cumbria over the festive season.

Additional projects in the area took place at Milton Keynes Central and Wolverton stations and at Roade cutting.

A £3.66m project took place at Milton Keynes Central station to replace concrete planks and fix uneven surfaces around platform 4, improving safety and structural integrity.

Further investments of over £2m were made at Wolverton station to upgrade surfaces on platforms 3 and 4, as well as improving stepping distances between train and platform.  

An investment of almost £600,000 was also made to upgrade the track near Roade, including the installation of over 1,500 metres of new rail.  

Additional projects took place on the West Coast Main Line over Christmas further along the line, with work taking place in Staffordshire, Lancashire and Cumbria. Some work on the line north of Preston remains ongoing, with the line between Preston and Carlisle closed until January 15th to enable a bridge replacement.

Christian Irwin OBE, Network Rail North West and Central region Capital Delivery director, said, “We are investing hundreds of millions of pounds to improve future journeys on the West Coast Main Line and these latest projects will make real differences to passenger and freight journeys.

“We would like to thank passengers for their patience during our work at Hanslope, Milton Keynes and Wolverton stations, and also across the wider network this festive season. With our major bridge renewal in Cumbria continuing until 15 January, we’d like to remind people to check before they travel while we make the railway fit for the future.”

Jonny Wiseman, customer experience director for London Northwestern Railway, added, “We are grateful for our passengers’ patience while Network Rail carried out these essential engineering works to futureproof our railway. We’re pleased the line has now reopened as planned and our normal timetable is now back in operation.”

Network Rail have also added that further follow up work will take place on Sunday 11 and 25 January to secure the new railway foundation stone through a process called tamping, as well as some additional drainage work.

On those two Sundays there will be no trains between Milton Keynes and Northampton/Rugby.