Rail passengers travelling on the Midland Main Line have been warned to expect significant disruption for most of the coming week following a fatal train collision near Bedford on 19 June.
The rail industry has advised customers to travel only if their journey is essential while recovery and repair work continues on the route between Bedford and Luton. The line is expected to remain closed until at least the end of next week.
The collision involved two East Midlands Railway (EMR) trains and resulted in the death of an EMR driver. A number of passengers were also injured. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.
The closure has led to major changes to services operated by EMR and Thameslink. No EMR trains will run between Bedford and London St Pancras, while Thameslink services north of Luton have been suspended. Limited rail replacement bus services are operating between Bedford, Luton and Kettering.
EMR will operate a reduced timetable on its Intercity and Connect routes from Monday. One train per hour will run between Sheffield and Bedford, and one train per hour between Nottingham and Bedford. A shuttle service will also operate between Corby and Kettering. Regional services are unaffected.
Replacement buses will provide connections between Kettering, Bedford, Luton and Luton Airport Parkway. EMR’s Luton Airport Express services will not operate during the recovery period.
Thameslink will continue to run services between London and Luton, with frequencies reduced compared with normal operations. Additional rail replacement buses will connect Bedford with Luton, Luton Airport Parkway and intermediate stations.
Will Rogers, Managing Director of East Midlands Railway, said:First and foremost, our thoughts and heartfelt condolences remain with the family, friends and colleagues of our driver who tragically lost their life. We are also thinking of those who were injured, their loved ones, and all colleagues and customers affected by this incident. I would also like to thank our teams on the ground and the emergency services again for all their efforts.
We are working closely with Network Rail and Thameslink to support those involved and assist with the ongoing recovery. Whilst this complex operation is underway, we ask that customers only travel on EMR’s Intercity and Connect services if essential. Please check before you travel.
As the recovery progresses, we will continue to provide updates and encourage customers to check our dedicated webpage for details. EMR will not be able to operate any rail services between Bedford and London St Pancras this week. Our Regional routes remain unaffected. We appreciate our customers' patience as we work with our industry partners to restore services.
Train operators are accepting EMR tickets on alternative routes while the disruption continues. Passengers are being urged to check journey planners and live travel updates before setting out.
Recovery work at the site is expected to be complex. Network Rail said engineers must first remove overhead electrical equipment before constructing temporary access infrastructure for heavy lifting operations.
Two 110-tonne rail-mounted cranes will then be used to remove the damaged trains and carriages. The vehicles will subsequently be transferred onto specialist road trailers and taken away from the site. Engineers will then inspect the track, carry out any necessary repairs and reinstate the overhead power lines before final safety checks are completed.
Ellie Burrows, Network Rail Eastern regional managing director, said:The past two days have been incredibly tough for everyone involved in this incident and our deepest sympathies and condolences go out to the friends, family and colleagues of the train driver who tragically lost their life as well as the passengers who have been impacted by this incident.
Colleagues from across the rail industry are working together at pace to remove the trains and carriages from the railway and complete the repairs to the tracks. This is a complex and challenging task and our teams will be working tirelessly to reopen the railway so we can resume services between Bedford and London.
While investigations are still at an early stage, current indications are that this was a tragic, isolated incident. We are focused on the safe reopening of the railway and getting services running as quickly as possible.
During this time, our message to passengers is clear – please expect disruption to services through this area for the majority of next week and only travel if absolutely necessary.
