Passengers travelling through London St Pancras station over the Christmas period are being warned of significant disruption as Network Rail carries out major engineering works, including replacing a rail bridge in Camden. Some train routes through the station will not run between December 21 and December 29.
Network Rail has revealed that East Midlands Railway services to Bedford and Thameslink services between St Pancras and Harpenden will be suspended during this time. Passengers typically travelling north from St Pancras are advised to use other London stations and connecting bus services to reach their destinations.
Bridge Replacement in Camden and Additional Works
Among the key projects planned is the replacement of the bridge deck over a rail bridge at Agar Grove in Camden. The works are part of a broader initiative by Network Rail to maintain and upgrade the network, including replacing 45 sets of points (movable sections that transfer a train from one track to another), rebuilding four bridges, installing 40 kilometres of new signalling cables, renewing 17 level crossings, and testing and switching on seven new signalling systems.
The work is part of a larger program taking advantage of the quieter travel period during the holidays to undertake substantial improvements. Network Rail has stated that while 95% of the train network will operate as usual over the festive season, several major routes will be affected by these essential engineering projects.
Other Affected Routes Over the Festive Period
- London Paddington Services: From December 27 to 29, services will not call at London Paddington due to signalling work needed for future connections with HS2’s new Old Oak Common station. Some trains will instead be diverted via London Euston, while others will start or stop at Reading and Ealing Broadway.
- London Liverpool Street Services: London Liverpool Street will be closed from Christmas Day until January 2 for work at Bishopsgate Tunnel. Greater Anglia services, including the Stansted Express, will be diverted via Stratford, and London Overground services will terminate at London Fields.
Helen Hamlin, Network Rail’s Director of System Operations, emphasized the importance of the timing for these works: “The festive period is a unique opportunity, when fewer people are travelling, to do big pieces of work to make services better, more punctual, and more reliable. The major projects we’re undertaking would otherwise take many weekends to complete and cause much more disruption.
She added, “Whilst roads are busier during the holidays, it’s actually one of the quietest times on the railway, meaning we can improve things whilst causing less disruption to passengers and freight flows.
Passengers are urged to check their travel plans in advance and allow extra time for their journeys during the festive period as the engineering works are expected to cause delays and require rerouting.
For further information, travellers can visit the Network Rail website or contact their train service provider for alternative routes and updated schedules during the impacted period.
