Network Rail has said that the vast majority of Britain’s rail network will be open as usual this Bank Holiday weekend, allowing families to reconnect with their loved ones.
With domestic tourism in high demand, the transport body’s bank holiday engineering work has been planned to minimise disruption to passengers with very few routes impacted. Over 95% of the UK rail network will be unaffected.
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However, passengers are reminded to check their journeys in advance as some upgrade works will be taking place.
Passengers are advised to follow government guidance and wear a face covering in busy indoor settings unless they are exempt. With good ventilation systems on trains, extra cleaning and improved information about quieter times, passengers can continue to travel with confidence.
Andrew Haines, Network Rail chief executive, said: “The railway will be open for business over the August Bank Holiday, so people can reconnect, visit friends and family or take a holiday.
“While some works are taking place, we’ve worked hard to reduce the impact on passengers as far as possible so that they can enjoy and rely on our railway.”
What are the Bank Holiday rail works?
Among the major pieces of work being delivered over the August Bank Holiday are:
- HS2 preparatory works at London Euston to help deliver the high-speed railway for passengers and boost capacity. An amended timetable will be in place to/from London Euston all weekend, with platforms 12-16 out of use.
- Track renewals and HS2 works between Water Orton and Nuneaton. This work will impact services in the Birmingham, Nuneaton and Coleshill Parkway areas.
- From London St Pancras to Mill Hill Broadway there will be switches and crossings renewals at Carlton Road Junction, while work will also be under way to help construct the new station at Brent Cross. As a result, there will be no trains running between Luton and London St Pancras over the course of the weekend, and an amended and reduced service will be in operation between Bedford and Mill Hill Broadway.
- Remodelling works at Bristol East to improve reliability for passengers. Platforms 7 and 9-15 will be out of use at Bristol Temple Meads, with buses replacing trains between Bristol Temple Meads and Bath, Keynsham and Oldfield Park.
- Maintenance and enhancement works between Moorgate/Canonbury West and Finsbury Park to improve passenger safety. Moorgate services will be diverted to London King’s Cross between 28-31 August.
Passengers can find out how their journeys will be affected with their train operator, via National Rail Enquiries, or by following #AugustBHWorks on Twitter.
Passengers can also use National Rail’s Alert Me by Messenger or WhatsApp service to receive personalised information about their journey, including alternative routes if their chosen service is disrupted or predicted to be busy, at nationalrail.co.uk.
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