The area around Watford is one of the most intensively-used high-speed sections of track in the country. Network Rail begins an £81m improvement scheme in May next year, which will continue into 2015. The work will involve five periods when the line will be completely closed, including  8 – 25 August.

Normally Network Rail would have carried out work of this kind over a number of weekends, requiring train services to be replaced repeatedly by alternative transport. The work at Watford would have required 54 complete weekend closures of the line, disrupting passengers for well over a year. By carrying out the work in five longer closures, engineers expect to be able to install the new signalling, replace track and junctions earlier and avoid disrupting rail travel plans for a large number of weekends throughout 2014 and 2015.

Working closely with Network Rail and other train operators, Virgin Trains will ensure that during these closures all customers have a reliable way of travelling to and from London principally by being able to use other operators’ services but in some cases by taking a replacement coach service for a short portion of the journey. 

Click here to go to Network Rail's Watford improvements pages