Rail passengers travelling between London and Bedford are being advised to check before they travel and allow extra time for journeys, as major engineering work on the Midland Main Line electrification project continues over the weekends of 5–6 April and 12–13 April 2025.
As part of the ongoing infrastructure upgrades, rail replacement buses will operate between Luton and West Hampstead Thameslink, affecting services on Thameslink and East Midlands Railway (EMR) routes.
Customers will need to take replacement buses to connect with East Coast Main Line trains at Hitchin, with additional services linking Luton Airport Parkway, Harpenden, St Albans, and Potters Bar.
What’s Happening?
Across both weekends, Network Rail teams will upgrade overhead lines between Bedford and St Pancras and carry out drainage works between Luton and Flitwick, as well as near Hendon. Over 12–13 April, work will also focus on renewing track switches and crossings near West Hampstead and on the Radlett Strategic Rail Freight Interchange.
These works are part of the wider Midland Main Line Upgrade, which aims to provide faster, greener, and more reliable electric train services, and will allow bi-mode trains to operate at speeds of up to 125mph.
What the Rail Industry is Saying
Gavin Crook, Principal Programme Sponsor for Network Rail, said:
“These weekends of essential work are vital steps in our Midland Main Line electrification project. We know replacement buses can disrupt travel plans, so we’re urging passengers to check before travelling and allow extra time.”
Jenny Saunders, Customer Services Director for Thameslink, said:
“By the end of this month’s work, Network Rail will be two-thirds of the way through nine planned weekends of engineering. These upgrades will help deliver a more reliable Thameslink service between Bedford and London.”
Philippa Cresswell, Customer Experience Director at EMR, added:
“We’re grateful to our customers for their patience. These upgrades are crucial and will bring long-term benefits to everyone travelling on this route.”
Key Dates & Disruption Summary
5–6 April and 12–13 April:
- No trains between Luton and West Hampstead Thameslink – replacement buses in operation
- Connecting buses from Luton and Luton Airport Parkway to Hitchin
- Additional buses between Harpenden, St Albans and Potters Bar
More details and full travel advice are available via:
👉 National Rail
👉 Thameslink
👉 East Midlands Railway
Remaining Engineering Dates:
- 10–11 May
- 24–25 May
- 31 May–1 June
Passengers are reminded that these works are part of a long-term programme of improvement designed to decarbonise rail travel and futureproof the railway for generations to come.
