Another TWO weekends without trains at Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough

Train passengers from Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough face two more weekends of disruption with buses replacing trains and extended journey times.

Network Rail engineers are playing catch up installing the final section of the overhead line equipment as part of the delayed £1.5bn Midland Main Line upgrade after hold-ups during the Covid-19 crisis.

Work due to be completed in time for new services to run in December will not now be finished until May 2021.

Train operator East Midlands Railway's Transition and Projects Director Lisa Angus said: "This engineering work has been planned at late notice due to delays to essential work encountered during the coronavirus pandemic.

"Over the next two weekends, vital work will also be carried out to test the electrical system, upgrade sections of the track and improve the surfacing of the platforms at Wellingborough and Kettering stations.

"Coaches will replace trains between Market Harborough and Bedford and Luton on certain days and we are advising any passengers who may need to travel to check our website or National Rail Enquiries journey planner before travelling.

"Social distancing measures will be in place so capacity on rail replacement buses and trains is limited. If you are travelling for leisure, please consider all other forms of transport before travelling. With your help we can keep space for those who need it most.

"If you have already booked your ticket and no longer wish to travel you can claim a refund. As always, we thank our passengers for their patience whilst this crucial work is taking place.”

Work on both July weekends has already seen trains replaced by buses on the stretch through Northamptonshire with some journeys to London taking three hours instead of the usual 59 minutes.

Track closures will also affect Thameslink services between Bedford and Luton on Sundays July 19 and July 26.

Detail of the service changes:

Saturday, 18 July — Trains to/from Sheffield and Nottingham will start/terminate at Market Harborough. Road replacement services will be in place between Market Harborough and Bedford, and between Corby and Kettering. Thameslink services will run between Bedford and St Pancras.

Sunday, 19 July — Trains to/from Sheffield and Nottingham will start/terminate at Market Harborough. Road replacement services will be in place between Market Harborough and Luton and between Corby and Kettering. Thameslink trains will run between Luton and St Pancras.

Thameslink services will not run between Bedford and Luton and road replacement services will be in place. Road transport will also replace trains between Hendon and St Pancras until 08:55. Thameslink services between Bedford and Gatwick Airport via Redhill will not run. A road replacement service between Gatwick Airport and Purley will call at Redhill.

Saturday, 25 July — Trains to/from Sheffield and Nottingham will start/terminate at Leicester. Replacement road services will be in place between Leicester and Bedford, and between Corby and Kettering. Thameslink services will run between Bedford and St Pancras.

Thameslink services will not run between Bedford and St Albans from 23:00 on Saturday, 25 until 09:30 on Sunday, 26 July. Road replacement services will be in place.

Sunday, 26 July — Trains to/from Sheffield and Nottingham will start/terminate at Leicester. Replacement road services will be in place between Leicester and Luton, and between Corby and Kettering. Thameslink services will run between Luton and St Pancras. Road replacement services will be in place between Bedford and Luton.