Passengers warned of delays during Chiltern route engineering work

Passengers using Chiltern Railways services between Birmingham Moor Street and London Marylebone are being warned to expect disruption this weekend as major engineering work takes place on the route.

Network Rail engineers will be carrying out track renewal works near West Ruislip, aimed at improving long-term reliability for both passenger and freight services. As a result, the Chiltern main line will be closed between Wembley Stadium and Denham throughout Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 January.

During the closure, Chiltern Railways services will be affected, with longer journey times and rail replacement buses operating in place of trains along the closed section of line. Passengers are being advised to plan ahead and allow extra time for their journeys.

The work involves replacing track infrastructure that has been in use since the 1980s. Existing rails and sleepers will be removed and replaced with modern materials designed to provide a smoother and more dependable ride.

The renewal programme covers just over half a mile of track and will make use of a New Track Construction machine, which allows rails to be laid in a continuous automated process. In total, five engineering trains and 74 wagons will be deployed to install around a mile of new rail, replace 1,270 sleepers and lay 1,800 tonnes of ballast beneath the track.

Once complete, the upgraded section is expected to require less ongoing maintenance, reducing the likelihood of future speed restrictions and unplanned disruption for passengers travelling through the area.

Neil Gaskin, programme director for Network Rail's Central route, said:

“This essential track replacement will help keep the Chiltern main line running reliably for years to come. We’ve planned this work carefully to minimise disruption while delivering long-term benefits for passengers and freight. I’d like to thank everyone for their patience. If you're planning to travel, plan ahead and check before you travel for the latest journey information and travel advice.”

Michael Stewart, commercial and customer strategy director at Chiltern Railways, said:

"These engineering works are crucial for the future reliability of the railway. Please check your journeys ahead of travelling in the affected areas this weekend as they will be disrupted and may involve a rail replacement bus."

Image: Network Rail