The railway in Stevenage is set to receive major repair works this Saturday 24th September after there were damages to the overhead electric wires on Tuesday Evening. The engineering teams will work throughout the night to ensure the power lines have been repaired for passenger services to resume on Sunday morning.
Trains are currently unable to perform their services between Stevenage and Hertford North, forcing a reduced timetable at Knebworth, with some bus replacements in operation to fill the transport void.
To ensure the work can be conducted safely, Network Rail will be closing a section of the railway along the East Coast Main Line at Stevenage, meaning that certain services late night and early morning will be cancelled. Due to this, passengers are being advised to plan their journeys ahead to avoid disruptions where possible.
Sarah Reid, East Coast Route Director for Network Rail, said:
“We’re very sorry for the impact this incident has had on passengers travelling through Stevenage, and I’d like to thank people for their ongoing patience.
“Some lines have reopened following damage to the overhead wires on Tuesday evening, but further repairs are needed before trains can run normally again. Our teams are focused on completing this essential work over the weekend. In the meantime, passengers should check before they travel with National Rail or their train operator’s website.”
Overhead electric wiring is vital for the powering of electric and bi-mode trains, carrying up to 25,000 volts of electricity providing steady and seamless travel across the lines. The electrification also contributes strongly towards the decarbonisation of this route, so ensuring it is repaired will help the line become cleaner and greener for the future.
Jenny Saunders, Customer Services Director for Thameslink and Great Northern, said:
"I'm really sorry for the disruption our customers have been facing since this unfortunate incident. We're doing our very best to keep people moving until the wires can be fully fixed.
"There are fewer trains running north from Knebworth and buses instead of trains between Hertford North, Watton-at-Stone and Stevenage. Please visit the Thameslink or Great Northern website for full travel advice. You can also claim Delay Repay compensation here if you're delayed by 15 minutes or more."
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