Rail link restored between East Midlands and London

East Midlands Railway says intercity services have now resumed between the region and the capital following a fatal train crash earlier this month.

A stretch of track between between Bedford and Luton had been closed last week while work to clear two trains which collided earlier this month, killing a driver and injuring more than 100 passengers.

Network Rail says its engineers have now completed a “complex” recovery operation, which involved taking down overhead lines before constructing a temporary access road and concrete foundation, and then using two 110-tonne rail-mounted Kirow cranes to lift the trains and carriages from the site.

EMR will be operating a full timetable on their intercity route from Monday, 29 June.

Mark Budden, East Midlands route director for Network Rail, said: “This has been a complex and challenging recovery operation, and I’d like to thank our engineers and colleagues across the railway for the professionalism, skill, and dedication they’ve shown in safely completing the work as quickly as possible to get passengers moving again.

“Our thoughts remain with everyone affected by the incident, including driver Shaun Burton’s loved ones, and those still recovering.

“With repairs now complete, we will be able to reopen the Midland Main Line on Monday. We understand the disruption that this closure has caused, and we’re grateful to passengers for their patience while we carried out this essential work.”