Train services between Luton and Bedford will resume from Monday, allowing passengers from Leagrave to travel by rail for the first time since last week’s fatal train collision.
Network Rail has confirmed that all recovery and repair work at the crash site near Bedford has now been completed, clearing the way for passenger services to return on the Midland Main Line.
The reopening will restore Thameslink services through Leagrave station and allow passengers to once again travel directly between Luton and Bedford after more than a week of disruption.
East Midlands Railway will also resume its full Intercity timetable from Monday, although passengers are being advised that some services may still be subject to short-notice alterations as operations return to normal.
The railway remains closed this weekend, but only because of engineering work that had already been planned before the collision. Rail replacement buses will continue to run between Bedford and Luton until services resume on Monday morning.
The line has been closed since Friday 19 June following the collision between two East Midlands Railway trains near Bedford, which claimed the life of driver Shaun Burton and left dozens of passengers injured.
Engineers have spent the past week carrying out a major recovery operation, removing the damaged trains before repairing the track, signalling equipment and overhead power lines.
Louis Rambaud, chief customer officer for Govia Thameslink Railway, which operates Thameslink, said: “The completion of the recovery work at Bedford is the result of a truly remarkable effort by Network Rail engineers and colleagues from across the industry, who have worked tirelessly and at extraordinary pace in very difficult circumstances.
“Our thoughts continue to be with Shaun Burton’s family, friends and colleagues, and with all those still recovering from the incident.
“The disruption of the past week will have had a real impact on our customers and I want to thank them sincerely for the patience and understanding they have shown. We are looking forward to welcoming them back on to the Thameslink route from Monday 29 June.”
Mark Budden, Network Rail’s East Midlands route director, said: “This has been a complex and challenging recovery operation, and I’d like to thank our engineers and colleagues across the railway for the professionalism, skill, and dedication they’ve shown in safely completing the work as quickly as possible to get passengers moving again.
“Our thoughts remain with everyone affected by the incident, including driver Shaun Burton’s loved ones, and those still recovering.
“With repairs now complete, we will be able to reopen the Midland Main Line on Monday. We understand the disruption that this closure has caused, and we’re grateful to passengers for their patience while we carried out this essential work.”
Will Rogers, managing director of East Midlands Railway, added: “As we begin to reopen the railway following last week’s tragic incident, we do so with profound sadness for Shaun Burton, his loved ones, and all those affected. They remain firmly in our thoughts.
“I would like to thank staff at EMR, our colleagues at Network Rail and across the wider industry for their exceptional dedication in very challenging circumstances.
“We recognise the disruption of the past week has had a significant impact on our customers and are grateful for the patience, understanding and compassion they have shown to our staff.”
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