All trains are cancelled at stations on the Midland Main Line in the west of the borough this weekend and next, plus one weekend in May

Midland Main Line (credit Govia Thameslink Railway)

Passengers are being advised to plan ahead as buses will replace trains over the next two weekends in west Barnet as part of the Midland Main Line electrification project.

Rail replacement buses will be running between Luton and West Hampstead Thameslink stations, including at Mill Hill Broadway, Hendon, Brent Cross West and Cricklewood, on the weekends of 5th-6th April and 12th-13th April while Network Rail continues electrification improvement work.

Over both weekends, teams will be upgrading the overhead lines, which power trains, between Bedford and St Pancras, while also carrying out essential drainage work between Luton and Flitwick, as well as near Hendon.

Over the weekend of 12th-13th April, engineers will be carrying out further renewal work of the switches and crossings, the specialist equipment used by trains to change from one track to another, near West Hampstead, with work on the Radlett Strategic Rail Freight Interchange continuing.

These improvements are part of a large scheme to electrify the line between London and Bedford, allowing bi-mode diesel-electric trains to run up to 125mph. The drainage work is essential in improving the reliability of the rail network, with the switches and crossings renewals contributing to smoother journeys for passengers.

This will be the fifth and sixth in a series of nine weekends of planned engineering work delivering crucial infrastructure improvements.

After the April dates there will also be three weekends of works in May, although only one of these will have a direct impact on London-bound services in Barnet.

Gavin Crook, principal programme sponsor for Network Rail, said: “These two weekends of essential work are vital steps in our Midland Main Line electrification project, which will deliver more reliable, greener journeys between London and Bedford.

“We know replacement buses impact travel plans, so we’re asking passengers to check before travelling and allow extra time on 5th-6th and 12th-13th April. We appreciate everyone’s patience as we build a more reliable railway for the future.”

Jenny Saunders, customer services director for Thameslink, said: “By the time this month’s work is complete, Network Rail will be two-thirds of the way through what I appreciate is a long series of weekend engineering work that may well disrupt your journey.

“However, the good news is these upgrades will make the route more reliable for our Thameslink services between Bedford and London.

“We’ll have buses in place of trains and staff up and down the network ready to support you on your travels, but please do plan ahead and check again before you leave for the station, using the Thameslink website.”

Changes to Thameslink services in April and May

Sat 5th and Sun 6th April

Buses replace trains between Luton and West Hampstead Thameslink all weekend.
Buses will also run across to the East Coast Main Line between Luton Airport Parkway, Luton and Hitchin, and also between Harpenden, St Albans and Potters Bar.

Sat 12th and Sun 13th April

Buses replace trains between Luton and West Hampstead Thameslink all weekend.
Buses will also run across to the East Coast Main Line between Luton Airport Parkway, Luton and Hitchin, and also between Harpenden, St Albans and Potters Bar.

Sat 10th and Sun 11th May

Buses replace trains between Luton and West Hampstead Thameslink all weekend.
Buses will also run across to the East Coast Main Line between Luton Airport Parkway, Luton and Hitchin, and also between Harpenden, St Albans and Potters Bar.

Sat 24th and Sun 25th May

Buses replace trains between Harpenden and Bedford all weekend. Buses will also run from Bedford to Hitchin on the East Coast Main Line.

Sat 31st May and Sun 1st June

Buses replace trains from Bedford to Mill Hill Broadway all weekend.
Buses will run between Bedford and Luton, and Luton to Mill Hill Broadway. Passengers can use buses to get to the East Coast Main Line between Luton Airport Parkway, Luton and Hitchin, and also between Harpenden, St Albans and Potters Bar.

Customers are being urged to check nationalrail.co.uk before travelling and leave more time for their journeys.

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