East Midlands Railway is advising passengers to check their journey before making a train journey in November | So Good News

East Midlands Railway is advising customers about national strike action and major engineering work which will see train services curtailed during November and into early December.

The strike action is set to affect rail services between Saturday 5 and Thursday 10 November, with trains expected to start later or finish earlier than usual on days between strikes.

Saturday 5 November:

• No trains run south of Luton with replacement buses running between Luton and Hitchin.
• East Midlands will run a reduced route between Luton and Corby, Nottingham, Sheffield and Bedford
• Thameslink will operate a limited shuttle service between Luton and Bedford.

Monday 7 and Wednesday 9 November:

• Arbeidskamp will have a significantly reduced timetable in operation throughout the region
• The services will only operate between 07.30 and 18.30
• Some routes will be closed

Rail passengers are made aware that they should only travel during strike action if absolutely necessary. Those who need to travel should check their travel plans ahead and check the last train time of the day via National Rail Inquiries. Customers intending to travel should expect extreme disruption.

Three major Network Rail engineering projects will also affect passenger rail services during November as the construction of the new Brent Cross West station, a new footbridge for St Alban’s City station and the overhead line upgrade south of Bedford are carried out.

The engineering work will mean that no passenger services can run between London St Pancras and Luton on:

Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 November:

Customers are advised to visit the rail operator’s website for updated travel advice:

Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 November:

East Midlands Railway:

• Services will start and finish at Luton
• Replacement bus services will operate between Luton and Hitchin

Thameslink will see rail replacement buses operating as follows:

Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 December:

• Would like to see an extremely limited Luton service in operation.

Further work to the new Brent Cross West station along with an overhead line upgrade and a track renewal at Elstree will take place on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th December and will affect services between Luton and Cricklewood.

Passengers using St Albans City station during this phase of the project will need to use a diversion via Hatfield Road to change platforms.

The Ridgemont Road car park will also be closed from October 31 to November 11 and drivers are advised to seek alternative parking and speak to staff at the station if they require assistance.

Cyclists are also informed that the bicycle parking facility in the Ridgmont Road car park will also be closed. Both cyclists and motorcyclists can use cycle parking on Station Way.

There will be no charging points for electric cars available.

Taxis can only be picked up from Victoria Street.

Gary Walsh, East Midlands Route Director for Network Rail said: “I am truly sorry to passengers who will be affected by this latest round of strike action. Our fully qualified backup staff are stepping up where they can to continue running as many trains as possible, but there will inevitably be some significant disruption between Saturday 5th and Thursday 10th November.

“We are also at a crucial stage in several projects which will provide better journeys and improved stations for passengers traveling on the southern end of the Midland Main Line. I apologize that this will further disrupt travel.

“Our best advice is to plan ahead, check before you travel with National Rail or your train operator and only travel by train if absolutely necessary on strike days.”