Easter Rail Closures to Impact UK Holiday Travel
Rail passengers are being urged to prepare for major disruptions across parts of the UK network during the Easter bank holiday weekend. From Friday, April 18 to Monday, April 21, Network Rail will carry out a £86 million programme of engineering works, affecting over 300 locations. Thousands of people's holiday travel plans may be disrupted by the entire or partial closure of a few key routes, even if the majority of lines will continue to run routinely.
One of the most significant impacts will be on services between London Euston and Milton Keynes Central. No trains will run between these stations on April 19, 20, and 21, and only a reduced timetable will be available on April 18. This is due to essential maintenance work involving overhead lines, switches, and drainage systems. Similar disruptions will occur at London Victoria, where platforms 1–8 will close for structural works. Southeastern services will be rerouted, while Gatwick Express and Southern trains will run less frequently.
We carry out a large amount of our work over the Easter period as passenger numbers are lower than they typically would be, disrupting fewer journeys, and the two bank holidays either side of the weekend give us a unique opportunity to get more work done whilst keeping disruption to a minimum.
In southern England, line closures between St Denys and Fareham will lead to diversions through Portsmouth, with no direct services operating between Southampton and Portsmouth during this period. GWR trains to Cardiff will also be diverted, and replacement buses will cover gaps in service. In the north, track renewals near Carlisle will interrupt West Coast Mainline services, with buses linking passengers to Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Dumfries. Caledonian Sleeper trains will begin and end at London King's Cross instead of Euston.
Passengers are advised to check journey plans before travelling, especially those with airport connections or time-sensitive destinations. Replacement buses, longer travel times, and rerouted services are expected to affect both regional and long-distance routes. Travelers should allow extra time and consider alternative travel days if possible.
These planned works reflect a wider effort to improve the reliability and safety of the rail network. However, for holidaymakers, the timing may result in inconvenience, delays, and disrupted plans. Planning ahead, staying updated on changes, and allowing for flexibility will help minimize stress during one of the year's busiest travel periods.
