Christmas 2024 Rail disruptions: Station closures and service changes

Traveling by train during the Christmas 2024 period will be challenging due to station closures and engineering works. Here is an overview of the main disruptions to expect :

Photos : Network Rail/Kbsp/London/Thameslink/DR

London Liverpool Street closure

London Liverpool Street, the UK’s busiest station, will be closed from December 25 to January 2 for engineering works. Greater Anglia trains, including the Stansted Express, will be redirected to Stratford. Passengers can use the Central or Jubilee lines to reach central London. London Overground services will start and end at London Fields.

London Paddington closure

London Paddington station will be closed from December 27 to 29. Great Western Railway trains from Cornwall, Devon, and Wales will be diverted to Euston, affecting journeys to the West Country, South Wales, and Bristol.

Photos : Network Rail/Kbsp/London/Thameslink/DR

London St Pancras closure

No trains will run on the Midland Main Line north of St Pancras to Luton, Leicester, Derby, Nottingham, and Sheffield from December 21 to 29. Intercity journeys will take an hour longer than usual. The Thameslink line will also be affected, with no trains between St Pancras and Harpenden.

Cambridge Station closure

Cambridge station will be closed from December 25 to January 5, 2025, to support the construction of Cambridge South station and the first phase of the signaling renewal program. No trains will run between Cambridge and Royson, Audley End, Cambridge North, or Bury St Edmunds from December 24 to 31.

West coast main line disruptions

Avanti West Coast services will be disrupted, with Crewe station closed on December 27 and fewer trains running until January 5. Services to Preston, Glasgow, and Edinburgh will be diverted via Manchester, increasing travel times. Services from London Euston to Birmingham and Manchester will be reduced from three to two per hour. On December 27, there will be no services from Liverpool Lime Street on Avanti’s west coast route. On New Year’s Day, the Milton Keynes Central to Rugby line will be closed.

Photos : Network Rail/Kbsp/London/Thameslink/DR

Travel Advice

Network Rail has confirmed that 95% of the rail network will operate normally. However, travelers are strongly advised to check schedules and closures before planning their journeys during this festive period.