Early May Bank Holiday Rail Disruption Confirmed Across Key Routes

Passengers are being warned that while most of Britain’s rail network will remain open, the early May bank holiday will see disruption at a number of key locations due to major engineering works.

Network Rail says the period from Saturday 2 to Monday 4 May has been specifically targeted for upgrades, taking advantage of typically lower passenger numbers. However, several high-profile routes will be affected, meaning journeys may take longer or require alternative transport.

The early May bank holiday works include:

• East Coast Main Line: Work to rebuild a junction at Tollerton on the East Coast Main Line in North Yorkshire means buses will replace trains between York and Darlington between Saturday and Monday, with a limited train service from Northallerton to Darlington. Trains restart on Tuesday (5).

• Transpennine: The Transpennine Route Upgrade programme’s major programme of improvements between Manchester, Huddersfield and Leeds gets underway on Saturday and runs through most of May and June, including the installation of overhead wires for electric trains, a new bridge, track and station improvements.

• Liverpool Lime Street is closed on Sunday and Monday only (3,4 May) for new signalling to be installed around Edge Hill.

• West Coast Main Line South: Laying new track near Willesden and Primrose Hill will mean a reduced service in and out of London Euston railway station and no London Overground services between Euston and Kilburn High Road, with normal services resuming on Tuesday (5)

• South East London: Work to improve signalling around Lewisham and install a footbridge at Hither Green means Charing Cross will be closed for all three days of the Bank Holiday, while Cannon Street is also closed on Sunday only. Trains will be diverted to London Victoria and Blackfriars. Normal service resumes on Tuesday (5).

Passengers are being strongly advised to check before travelling over the early May bank holiday, with replacement buses and diversions expected across several routes.

Anit Chandarana, Network Rail’s group director, System Operator, said:

"There is no ‘right way’ to do major work on our railway, but bank holidays are still among the least busy times for us in terms of passenger numbers and freight services. Those extra days with fewer travellers give us an opportunity to do longer projects that we couldn’t do in a normal two-day weekend or overnight. So while most of our railway is open as usual over the bank holidays this May, there are some major exceptions and we also have two major projects getting underway in Yorkshire and between Newport and Bristol that passengers should be aware of. I’d advise everyone to plan ahead and check before they travel.”

Image: Network Rail