The Midland Mainline is set to be closed between London St Pancras and Bedford for nine days over Christmas – affecting travellers from the East Midlands.

Network Rail engineers will carry out several projects on the route resulting in a line closure from Saturday, December 21, to Sunday, December 29.

During the nine-day period, East Midlands Railway (EMR) services between London St Pancras and Bedford will be suspended.

The work includes replacing the bridge deck at Agar Grove in Camden, upgrading overhead power lines, and installing a new bridge under the railway to provide access to the Radlett Strategic Freight Interchange.

Passengers travelling on the Midland Main Line to destinations such as Luton Airport Parkway, St Albans, Bedford, Nottingham, Derby, and Sheffield should prepare for longer journey times and replacement bus services.

Mark Budden, route director for Network Rail’s East Midlands route said: “We’re sorry that this essential work will cause significant disruption to journeys for many people over the festive period. We’ve worked hard to make sure the work will be completed as quickly and safely as possible.

“We’re deploying hundreds of people to carry out dozens of jobs to prevent further disruption at another time. Once complete this essential work will mean passengers will have smoother, faster and more reliable journeys.

“Timetables will start to be published this weekend so we’re advising anyone planning to travel between Saturday 21 and Sunday 29 December to check your whole journey, including connections as soon as you can.

“Though most of the network will be open as normal, there is engineering work on several parts of the network on different dates over the festive period.”

Passengers travelling north from London St Pancras will need to use different London stations and replacement buses to reach their destinations.

EMR passengers can travel from London Euston to Milton Keynes, then take buses to Bedford, where they can board their EMR train.