Early May Engineering Works

Network Rail are delivering engineering works across the rail network over the Early May Bank Holiday weekend.

  • Early May Weekend: Sunday 30 April

During this time, trains will not operate between Milton Keynes Central – London Euston and services on other routes will also be impacted.

You can find a full summary of service changes and alternative travel arrangements for this period below. Additionally, engineering works will also impact West Midlands Railway services during this time.

May Day Weekend: Sunday 30 April

  • Trains will not operate between Milton Keynes Central – London Euston.
  • Rail replacement buses will be in operation between Milton Keynes Central – Bedford and Milton Keynes Central – Potters Bar via intermediate stations.
  • Tickets to/from London Euston will be accepted on GTR and East Midlands Railway services for travel between Bedford – London St Pancras.
  • Tickets to/from London Euston will be accepted on GTR services between Potters Bar – London Kings Cross.
  • Due to traffic conditions, rail replacement buses are unable to call at Cheddington station. Minibus shuttles will be operating between Cheddington – Leighton Buzzard during this time (you can join onward rail replacement services at Leighton Buzzard).
  • Trains will operate between Stafford – Milton Keynes only.
  • Rail replacement buses will be in operation between Crewe – Stafford.
  • Onward rail replacement connections to/from London will be available from Milton Keynes (see above).

Ticket Acceptance

  • Valid tickets for travel to/from London will be accepted on rail replacement buses between Milton Keynes – Bedford and Potters Bar.
  • Your ticket will also be accepted for use on either East Midlands / GTR services between Bedford – London St Pancras, or GTR services between Potters Bar – London Kings Cross.
  • Trains will operate between Birmingham New Street – Stafford and Crewe – Liverpool Lime Street only on Sunday 30 April.
  • Rail replacement buses will be operating between Stafford – Crewe.
  • Services via Stoke-on-Trent will be running as normal during this time.
  • Rail replacement buses will be in operation between Watford Junction – St Albans Abbey on Sunday 30 April.
  • Given the disruption, we recommend that you plan to travel either side of the Easter weekend, on or before Saturday 29 April or on / after Monday 1 May.
  • If you must travel to/from London during this time, we recommend that you use rail replacement services between Milton Keynes – Bedford and make onward connections via East Midlands Railway and GTR services.
  • If you’re travelling to/from intermediate stations between Milton Keynes – London Euston, you’re advised to use rail replacement buses between Milton Keynes – Potters Bar (onward connections to/from London are available via GTR services).
  • Other operators’ services are also impacted by this engineering work. Avanti West Coast will also be operating rail replacement bus services between Milton Keynes – Bedford. Visit nationalrail.co.uk for more info.
  • You require a valid rail ticket to travel on a rail replacement bus.
  • All of our rail replacement vehicles are fully accessible.
  • Animals are not permitted on rail replacement buses (except for assistance animals).
  • Large items of luggage and non-folding bicycles are not permitted onboard rail replacement bus services.