05 Oct 2024
Forget about catching a train to visit loved ones or heading into the capital for some festive fun this Christmas – essential work on the much-hated rail freight depot will throw a spanner in the works.
A new bridge is being installed under the Midland Main Line at Park Street to provide access to developer Segro’s Strategic Rail Freight Interchange.
The work means there will be no Thameslink trains between Harpenden and St Pancras for nine consecutive days – from Saturday December 21 and Sunday December 29.
Cllr Nuala Webb from the Save St Albans: Fight the Freight campaign said: “This is just another illustration of the widespread travel chaos that the unwanted, unnecessary and unsuitable rail freight terminal is going to cause. And this shows that the freight terminal will affect people across the region not just the south of St Albans and Park Street.
“The terminal is already blighting lives with pile driving causing unacceptable noise levels around Napsbury. As work on the site progresses we can expect road closures, diversions and more disruption to rail users. There seems to be no consideration for people whose lives are affected by this.”
The rail freight bridge installation is not the only work taking place during this period. Other projects include replacing the bridge deck on a road-over-rail bridge at Agar Grove in Camden, and continuing work to upgrade the overhead lines between London St Pancras and Bedford.
Arguably had it taken place on its own the Agar Grove work would not have had the same impact on the line as the rail freight bridge, especially as it is closer to London.
As a result of these projects, Thameslink passengers travelling to destinations between London and north of Harpenden will have to take East Coast Main Line services from London Kings Cross to Hitchin or Potters Bar, where they can connect to rail replacement bus services to Luton Airport Parkway, or St Albans City and Harpenden. Buses will replace trains between London St Pancras and Harpenden, and passengers are being urged to plan their journeys now.
Customer service director for Govia Thameslink Railway Jenny Saunders said: “We know how important this time of the year is to our customers, which is why, with such a lengthy period of improvement work planned over the festive period, we want to give them as much time as possible to plan ahead. It really is vital to consider your options now. Thank you for your patience.”
Customers are being encouraged to check National Rail Enquiries before they travel. Additional information is also available on EMR’s and Thameslink’s websites and social media channels.
