Rail passengers across Britain are being advised to check their travel plans ahead of the early and late May Bank holidays, as Network Rail gears up to deliver over 630 engineering projects aimed at improving the country’s railway infrastructure.
The works, costing a total of £133 million, are strategically scheduled during traditionally quieter periods to minimise disruption.
Network Rail has highlighted that while the majority of the network will remain open, significant upgrades will be taking place, requiring some line closures and diversions. The extended Bank Holiday weekends provide valuable three-day windows for more complex engineering work to be carried out.
Helen Hamlin, Network Rail’s director of system operations, said: “This May, thousands of workers will be out in force as we continue to invest in making Britain’s railway more reliable, with £133m worth of essential upgrades taking place across the two Bank Holiday weekends.”
She added, “While the vast majority of the network will remain open for business as usual, we’re encouraging passengers planning to use the railway to check their journeys in advance.”
Hamlin further explained the rationale behind the timing of the works: “Railways are usually quieter during weekends, particularly on key commuter routes into major cities, providing an opportunity to improve our railway whilst minimising disruption for passengers and freight users. While most projects can take place over one or two days, bank holidays give three clear days for more significant improvements.”
Passengers are urged to be aware of the following key projects:
Early May Bank Holiday (Friday 3rd – Monday 5th May):
- London Euston and Milton Keynes Central: Significant embankment repairs, track renewal, and drainage work will result in no train services running to or from these stations on Sunday 4th and Monday 5th May.
- London Victoria: Track renewals, re-signalling, maintenance, and structures work at Battersea will cause disruption to services to and from London Victoria. Platforms 1-8 will be closed, and no Southeastern services will operate to or from the station between Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th May. Services will be diverted via London Bridge or London Cannon Street. Gatwick Express services will run on a reduced timetable, along with reduced Southern services to Brighton.
- Cambridge and Audley End: As work progresses to install new signalling equipment for the Cambridge re-signalling project, in preparation for the opening of Cambridge South station in early 2026, there will be no rail services between Cambridge and Audley End from Saturday 3rd to Monday 5th May. Rail replacement buses will operate between the two stations, and London Stansted CrossCountry will operate buses between Cambridge and Stansted Airport.
Late May Bank Holiday (Saturday 24th – Monday 26th May):
- London St Pancras International and Bedford: Overhead line upgrades between Bedford and St Pancras, which will enable bi-mode diesel-electric trains to run at higher speeds, mean there will be no train services between London St Pancras International and Bedford on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th May. East Midlands Railway services will start and terminate at Bedford, and Thameslink services will start and terminate at St Albans and Harpenden.
- Nuneaton and Stafford: Structures work, HS2-related construction, and earthworks taking place from Saturday 24th to Friday 30th May will lead to a reduced timetable on Avanti West Coast, West Midlands Trains, and CrossCountry services. Rail replacement buses will also be in operation.
Helen Hamlin reassured passengers that Network Rail is working efficiently: “When we close parts of the railway, we work hard to maximise that time—with over 630 vital pieces of work being carried out – and keep disruption to a minimum for passengers and freight customers.”
Passengers planning to travel during either of the May Bank Holiday weekends are strongly advised to check their journey details in advance via the National Rail Enquiries website or app, or through their specific train operator’s website.
Breakdown of the Bank Holiday Works:
- Early May Bank Holiday (3rd – 5th May): 359 projects worth £67.4 million
- Late May Bank Holiday (24th – 26th May): 277 projects worth £65.3 million
