26 Jan 2025 engineering works

[A S Leib]

Why is there so much engineering works happening on the same day / weekend at the end of January? At the very least, there's works affecting King's Cross – Peterborough, Rugby – Stafford, Leicester – Nottingham and Hexham – Carlisle. I understand that it's probably one of the weekends with the lowest levels of leisure travel in the year and that engineering work's probably arranged a long time in advance, but the combination of all of those works happening at once makes travel inconvenient.

 

[The Planner]

Why is there so much engineering works happening on the same day / weekend at the end of January? At the very least, there's works affecting King's Cross – Peterborough, Rugby – Stafford, Leicester – Nottingham and Hexham – Carlisle. I understand that it's probably one of the weekends with the lowest levels of leisure travel in the year and that engineering work's probably arranged a long time in advance, but the combination of all of those works happening at once makes travel inconvenient.

What is it stopping you doing? Operators agree to the works at those dates for the reaaon you have given.

 

[A S Leib]

What is it stopping you doing? Operators agree to the works at those dates for the reaaon you have given.

I have found an alternative route (Bedford – Leicester – Sheffield – Newcastle instead of Milton Keynes – Carlisle – Newcastle or Stevenage – Newcastle); my main question is why the decision was made to have engineering works on parts of the WCML, MML and ECML at the same time instead of staggering them by a few weeks (which might mean clashing with other works, but would at least not mean partially closing both main London – north routes at the same time).

 

[The Planner]

I have found an alternative route (Bedford – Leicester – Sheffield – Newcastle instead of Milton Keynes – Carlisle – Newcastle or Stevenage – Newcastle); my main question is why the decision was made to have engineering works on parts of the WCML, MML and ECML at the same time instead of staggering them by a few weeks (which might mean clashing with other works, but would at least not mean partially closing both main London – north routes at the same time).

There is a route to Scotland open from London. That is the overarching requirement.

 

[Segedunum]

There is also an extremely limited Grand Central service into St Pancras: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...6/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt&toc=GC

As well as the more common Hull Trains diversions: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...6/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt&toc=HT

 

[ajp999]

Apart from some minor retiming of a few services, Leicester to Nottingham appears to be open on the 26th January. If EMR are having to share platforms with Hull Trains and Grand Central at St. Pancras this may limit the number of 7-car / 10-car formations that can be used.

 

[GoneSouth]

Why is there so much engineering works happening on the same day / weekend at the end of January? At the very least, there's works affecting King's Cross – Peterborough, Rugby – Stafford, Leicester – Nottingham and Hexham – Carlisle. I understand that it's probably one of the weekends with the lowest levels of leisure travel in the year and that engineering work's probably arranged a long time in advance, but the combination of all of those works happening at once makes travel inconvenient.

Inconvenient it maybe but at least there’s a couple of months notice so you can arrange to travel at a different time or by other routes or (and this is not recommended ) by coach!

Let’s be thankful maintenance / electrification / upgrade work is happening at all so we can travel with much less inconvenience more often in future.