UK rail services face major weekend disruptions

Major rail disruptions are expected across parts of the United Kingdom this weekend due to emergency repairs and scheduled upgrades.

On the West Coast Main Line, Network Rail is conducting emergency work to remove the Oxhey Grange footbridge south of Watford Junction after a safety inspection identified significant structural deterioration. The work requires closing all four tracks on the West Coast Main Line and the adjacent London Overground Lioness line from midnight Saturday until 4pm Sunday. Avanti West Coast services to the North West and Scotland will terminate at Milton Keynes Central or Rugby, while London Northwestern Railway will operate north of Milton Keynes Central. Passengers are urged to avoid travel on this route until Sunday afternoon.

In South Wales, the South Wales Metro upgrade programme will cause closures on Sunday, September 27. Engineering work at Cardiff Queen Street station will suspend services on the Treherbert, Aberdare, and Merthyr lines. Transport for Wales is providing rail replacement bus services for these routes while carrying out signalling work and track maintenance. Normal services are expected to resume on Monday, September 28.