Watchdogs challenge rail industry over East Coast Main Line engineering work

20 November 2023

Transport Focus and London TravelWatch have challenged Govia Thameslink Railway and Network Rail about upcoming engineering work on Sunday 3 December.

The watchdogs have challenged the industry decision to carry out the works without providing buses and coaches to replace the trains that will not run.

Sixteen stations will have no train service and no replacement buses or coaches, including places of significant population such as:

• Baldock
• Biggleswade
• Hatfield
• Letchworth
• Royston

The watchdogs asked the two organisations to review whether all avenues had been explored to procure a viable rail replacement service for 3 December. We’ve asked them to look at how the engineering works could be modified to increase the number of trains that can run.

You can read the letter and the rail industry’s response below.