Rail services to London disrupted over Christmas

A train operator has warned passengers that engineering works will cause disruption to its services to London during the festive period.

From 21 to 29 December, all East Midlands Railway's (EMR) Intercity and Connect services to London St Pancras will be affected as Network Rail is carrying out major works on the Midland Mainline.

The engineering work includes replacing overhead electric power lines and other "vital and extensive" maintenance works to support the future expansion of freight operations on the network.

EMR said the works would also allow the introduction of the firm's new Aurora bi-mode fleet next year.

EMR said its Intercity and Connect services to London St Pancras would terminate at Bedford.

Customers travelling to London St Pancras will be required to transfer to rail replacement buses, which will operate between Bedford and Milton Keynes.

Passengers will then continue their journey into London Euston, instead of St Pancras, via the West Coast Main Line.

EMR said its platforms at London St Pancras would be closed for the duration of the works.

For passengers travelling north from London, they will need to take a train from London Euston to Milton Keynes, where rail replacement buses will transfer them over to EMR services at Bedford.

EMR said journey times were expected to take "significantly longer than normal" and could be increased by up to one hour due to the replacement bus services.

Mark Budden, route director for Network Rail's East Midlands route, said there were "three main bits of engineering" during the works.

The first is undertaking overhead line power upgrades as part of the Midland Mainline electrification programme.

The second is part of a £10m project to replace a 160-year-old road bridge that goes over a railway in Agar Grove, in Camden.

The third part of the project includes works for the future expansion of freight operations in Radlett, near Watford.

"I understand the disruption this is causing," said Mr Budden.

"It's a really unfortunate time of year when people are still trying to get to work and visit loved ones.

"Once complete, this essential work will mean passengers will have smoother, faster and more reliable journeys."

Philippa Cresswell, customer service director at EMR, said she wanted to thank customers for "bearing with" them during the disruption.

Ms Cresswell said EMR would provide up to 12 buses per hour between Bedford and Milton Keynes in both directions.

"If customers are requiring disability assistance, they can book that online and through our customer service centre, which has British Sign Language services too," she added.

Ms Cresswell said the works would be "worth it" ahead of the introduction of the new Aurora bi-mode fleet, which would be able to run on electric and diesel, and provide modern interiors and 45% more seats than other current fleets.

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