A new modern footbridge designed to last 120 years has officially opened at Harlington station, marking a significant milestone in improving passenger safety, resilience and long‑term railway reliability on the Midland Main Line.
The opening paves the way for the removal of the ageing existing footbridge, which will take place during a major programme of engineering work affecting services between Luton and Bedford on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 April.
As part of the works, engineers will also upgrade overhead line equipment (OLE) at Harlington. Previously fixed to the old bridge, the OLE will now be free‑running beneath the new structure, improving reliability and reducing long‑term maintenance risk.
Co‑ordinated Easter Engineering Programme Across the Route
Network Rail is using the same weekend possession to deliver a series of critical infrastructure upgrades elsewhere on the route, maximising efficiency while keeping overall disruption to a minimum. These include:
- Track renewal at Flitwick, where five engineering trains and a tamper maintenance machine will install:
- 642 metres of new rail
- 2,760 tonnes of ballast
- 1,008 concrete sleepers
- Progress on the Access for All scheme at Luton station, including the installation of a new accessible footbridge and three lifts, improving step‑free access for passengers.
- Drainage improvements at Harpenden station, aimed at reducing flooding risk and supporting safer, more reliable services.
Industry Leaders Welcome Long‑Term Benefits
Dan Matthews, Network Rail operations director, said:
“The footbridge project at Harlington is nearing completion and will improve safety and reliability for many years to come. The milestone of removing the old bridge is just one part of a packed programme of improvement work on 18‑19 April.
“By co‑ordinating this work with other key upgrades along the route, we’re keeping disruption to a minimum and helping passengers see the benefits as quickly as possible. We appreciate everyone’s understanding while these important improvements take place.”
The Harlington station car park has been partially closed throughout the project and will be fully closed from 10pm on Sunday 12 April until 11.59pm on Friday 24 April to allow contractors to set up and dismantle their worksite. The station will remain open throughout, and passengers are advised to use Leagrave or Luton stations, with season ticket holders able to park there at no extra cost.
Adrian Gogay, infrastructure director at GTR, said:
“The opening of Harlington’s new footbridge is really good news for our passengers and paves the way for the removal of the old bridge on 18 and 19 April. I would like to apologise that, with buses replacing trains between Bedford and Harpenden for this essential improvement work, journeys are going to take longer. The station car park will also be completely closed for 12 days. Please do plan ahead, allow more time and check the latest online before setting out – especially if you are travelling to Luton Airport.”
Philippa Cresswell, customer experience director for East Midlands Railway, added:
“We’re working closely with Network Rail to support this important programme of improvements and keep customers on the move.
“We’re advising anyone travelling to/from London over the weekend of 18‑19 April, to allow extra time to complete their journey. There will be rail replacement buses in place between Bedford and Hitchin.
“We’d like to thank customers for their patience; the completed works will help deliver a more reliable railway for customers in the future.”
Image credits: Network Rail
