Passengers travelling from Harrow and Wealdstone to London Euston and Milton Keynes can now enjoy faster and more reliable journeys after significant upgrades to the railway junction were completed over Easter.
The West Coast main line was closed for four days so that engineers could complete the improvements, including installing new tracks, switches, and crossings. The upgrades have cost £15m and have taken place over the last two years.
The junction upgrade will provide railway signallers with more options to divert trains during periods of disruption and increase the number of services that can run through the area in the future. The upgrades will also allow for greater flexibility for trains to change between lines when coming in or out of the capital.
Network Rail’s West Coast South route director, James Dean, said: “Now it’s complete – after two years of major work – passengers will start to see the benefits immediately as it will mean faster, more reliable journeys for trains travelling on the West Coast main line in and out of the capital.”
Further essential upgrades are planned from April 29 – May 1 for the West Coast main line, including track upgrades at Harrow and Wealdstone, overhead line work at Euston and Kings Langley, overhead line upgrades at Bushey, upgrades to track foundation stone at Willesden North and Watford South Junction, and track renewal at Sunnyside between Berkhamstead and Tring and at Chadwell Farm.
Euston station will be closed on Sunday, 30 April, with trains terminating at Milton Keynes and bus shuttle services to Bedford to enable passengers to catch trains into London St Pancras. Passengers are advised to plan their journeys in advance by checking the National Rail website.
