Passengers traveling on the Midland Main Line between Luton and Mill Hill Broadway this weekend (15–16 March) will need to take buses instead of trains as part of ongoing efforts to improve the reliability of the route.

Thameslink and East Midlands Railway passengers are advised to take bus services between Luton and Hitchin, where they can continue their journey into London.

The temporary disruption is due to essential engineering work being carried out by Network Rail over the weekend. Crews will focus on upgrading the signalling at Harpenden Junction, as well as making further progress on the construction of the new Wixams station and developments at SEGRO's Radlett Strategic Freight Interchange in Hertfordshire.

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This weekend's work is part of a larger £19m investment program, which is spread across nine weekends of planned engineering activities. Once completed in early June, the infrastructure improvements are expected to significantly reduce disruptions on the southern stretch of the Midland Main Line, with minimal impact on services until Christmas 2025.

Recent progress includes the successful removal of a temporary bridge at Agar Grove, which had been in place to allow pedestrian access and carry power supplies during the replacement of a 160-year-old bridge deck. The new bridge deck, part of a £19m project over Christmas, is set to enhance the safety and reliability of the route.

In addition to the bridge works, last weekend Network Rail engineers completed vital signal upgrades at Clerkenwell, drainage improvements at Belsize Tunnel and Hendon, and preparation work for the new Wixams station between Bedford and Flitwick.

Progress is also continuing on the Midland Main Line overhead line project (OLE125), which will allow bi-mode trains to travel at speeds of up to 125mph between London and Bedford. With nearly two-thirds of the work complete, this upgrade is on track to finish by the summer, marking a major milestone for the route.

Passengers are urged to plan ahead and allow extra time for their journeys this weekend, as the bus replacement services may add to travel times.