Engineering work is taking place between London Euston and Watford Junction, closing some lines. Background information on the work can be found below.
Until 16:00, no Avanti West Coast trains will run between London Euston and Milton Keynes Central.
Avanti West Coast strongly recommend you avoid travel to and from London Euston on Sunday 20 September. The West Coast Main Line is closed between London Euston and Watford Junction until 16:00 for an urgent bridge removal by Network Rail. Journeys south of Milton Keynes will take longer and involve a replacement bus, and fewer trains are running on all routes.
An amended train service will run as follows:
Already got an Avanti West Coast ticket for 20 September?
You can use your existing ticket at no extra cost to travel on the dates either side, when the line is open – from Friday 18 to Tuesday 22 September. Even if just one part of your return journey is affected by this late-notice engineering work, you can use both your outward and return on the alternative travel dates, Friday to Tuesday. Alternatively, if your train is cancelled or changed and you no longer wish to travel, you can get a full refund from where you bought your ticket.
Still need to travel to / from London Euston on 20 September?
Avanti West Coast advise avoiding travel on this date if you can, as journeys will be disrupted for most of the day. Journey planners reflect Avanti West Coast’s amended timetable.
Rail replacement bus services will run between Milton Keynes Central and Bedford. To get to and from London, Thameslink and East Midlands Railway trains run between Bedford and London St Pancras International.
Remember, there are fewer trains running on all Avanti West Coast routes - the amended train service is listed above.
After 16:00, trains are able to run to and from London Euston, but are expected to be extremely busy.
If you do need to travel on 20 September, please check before you travel and allow extra time for your journey.
Until 16:00, no London Northwestern Railway trains will run between London Euston and Watford Junction.
Trains between London Euston and Milton Keynes Central will instead run between Watford Junction and Milton Keynes Central. Trains between London Euston and Birmingham New Street / Crewe will instead run between Milton Keynes Central and Birmingham New Street / Crewe. These services will run to a reduced and amended timetable.
Rail replacement bus services will run between Potters Bar and Watford Junction. Additionally, rail replacement buses will run between Bedford and Milton Keynes Central for direct travel.
It is advised to travel on Great Northern or Thameslink services between London Kings Cross and Potters Bar, and Great Northern, Thameslink or East Midlands Railway services between London St Pancras International and Bedford for connections.
A reduced service will run between London Euston and Willesden Junction until approximately 16:00 on Sunday. Rail replacement buses will run between Harrow & Wealdstone and Watford Junction.
You can use your ticket at no extra cost on London Underground Bakerloo line between Queens Park and Harrow & Wealdstone. Additionally on the following bus services:
The following Lumo service will run on Sunday:
Tickets dated for Sunday 20 September will be accepted for travel on Lumo services on 19, 21 or 22 September at no additional cost. Customers who no longer wish to travel may apply for a full refund from their ticket retailer.
Customers who must travel on 20 September can use their existing ticket on Lumo services between London Kings Cross and Newcastle, with onward connections available from Newcastle.
Network Rail will be removing Oxhey Grange footbridge near Watford in an operation to keep the railway safe. Engineers have decided it must be removed as soon as possible to protect passengers, railway workers and the local community.
To complete the work safely, Network Rail will close all four West Coast Main Line tracks and the adjacent London Overground Lioness line beneath the bridge from midnight on Saturday 19 September until 16:00 on Sunday 20 September. The bridge will be lifted out in a single operation using a specialist 100-metre-tall heavy-lift crane capable of lifting 1,200 tonnes. This approach significantly reduces the amount of time the railway needs to be closed compared with alternative removal methods. More details and comments on the work are available on the Network Rail website.
You can plan your journey using the National Rail Enquiries Journey Planner.
You can plan your journey on London Buses / Underground by using the Transport for London Journey Planner.
For helpful advice if you need to travel on a rail replacement service, including accessibility and bicycle information, please use our Rail Replacement Services page.
You can find the pick-up and drop-off location of rail replacement services by checking station signage or by searching for your station on our Find a Station page.
Please be advised that replacement vehicles may be busier than usual, and you should allow extra time for your journey.