Key workers warned of engineering works affecting Northampton train services this weekend

Essential workers planning to travel by train from Northampton and Long Buckby over the Bank Holiday weekend face major disruptions due to engineering works.

No early-morning services will run from Castle Station on Sunday (May 24) with replacement buses ferrying passengers to and from Milton Keynes and London Euston.

Operator London Northwestern Railway will have a reduced service for the rest of the day.

Trains are also affected on Saturday and Bank Holiday Monday as two of the four lines are closed for vital engineering work between Cheddington and Milton Keynes Central.

Alternative routes into London from Kettering, Wellingborough and Bedford are closed while engineers replace a major junction at Radlett.

Timings of northbound services from Northampton towards Birmingham calling at Long Buckby are also affected.

Passengers who are making essential journeys this weekend are advised to check their train times before travelling using the National Rail Enquiries journey planner.

LNWR bosses have already issued a plea for passengers to only use trains as a last resort following the Prime Minister's message for some to return to work.

Network Rail chief executive Andrew Haines said: “To make sure our railway is at its very best when we emerge from this pandemic, we are continuing to work on and invest in the rail network to make it more reliable for passengers.

"That means some journeys may be different, so if you have to travel please check your journey before leaving home.”

“While Britain tackles the coronavirus and social distancing is in place, the railway can carry a fraction of the usual number of passengers.

"So to make sure there is space for critical workers, please avoid travelling by train unless absolutely necessary."

No trains will run between Kettering and Corby across the holiday weekend while East Midlands Railway from Kettering and Wellingborough to London St Pancras will run to a special timetable.

Thameslink trains from Bedford will terminate at Harpenden or Mill Hill Broadway with bus connections to London.