Another weekend of engineering works affecting train travellers from Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough

Rail passengers from Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough are facing a fourth weekend 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.

"Vital work will be carried out on Saturday and Sunday 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 Leicester and Bedford on Saturdaay (July 24) and between Leicester and Luton on Sunday (July 25). 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 three 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 Sunday (July 26).

Detail of the service changes:

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 only will run between Bedford and St Pancras. If you are travelling to Wellingborough, Kettering or Market Harborough there will also be a rail replacement service, please change at Bedford to connect with these. A replacement shuttle service will also run between Kettering and Corby.

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 only will run between Luton and St Pancras. Road replacement services will be in place between Bedford and Luton. If you are travelling to Wellingborough, Kettering or Market Harborough there will also be a rail replacement service, please change at Bedford to connect with these. A replacement shuttle service will also run between Kettering and Corby.