London’s trusty transport network is being hit with a rather hefty closure at the end of the month. The Elizabeth Line (which just so happens to be the UK’s busiest railway service) will shut down almost entirely for a whole weekend, and we’re here to clue you up on the closures so that you don’t get caught out. Because failing to plan is planning to fail, and all that…
The closures in question will hit the city on the weekend of November 28 and 29. Almost the entire line will shut up shop for the weekend so that planned engineering work can take place. And the only section that will remain open will be between Reading and Maidenhead, where two services will run per hour.
The eastern and central sections of the purple line will be closed to allow for rail and crossing renewals and overhead line equipment maintenance. Meanwhile, the western section will be shut due to Network Rail carrying out some major work at Dolphin Junction (near Slough). No trains will be able to run in or out of London Paddington (including Great Western Railway and Heathrow Express services) throughout the weekend.
Rail replacement buses will be operating in the affected areas and if passengers need to get to Heathrow Airport that weekend, their best bet will be hopping on the Piccadilly Line.
Trish Ashton, Director of Rail at Transport for London, said: “We understand that these closures can impact customers’ journeys and would like to thank them for their patience while this essential work takes place. The work we’re carrying out is essential to maintaining the safety and reliability of the Elizabeth line for the millions of customers who rely on it every year.
“We encourage customers to plan ahead, allow extra time for their journeys and check before they travel on TfL’s Journey Planner or the TfL Go app. Rail replacement buses and alternative travel options will be available throughout the closure.”
As always, make sure to keep your eye on the TfL website so that you can check your journey before you travel and plan ahead.
