Rail passengers across North Derbyshire are being warned to expect significant disruption throughout the coming week following a fatal train crash near Bedford that left one driver dead and around 100 people injured.
East Midlands Railway (EMR) confirmed that two of its services collided on Friday afternoon between Luton and Bedford. The crash involved the 4:40pm service from Corby to London St Pancras and the 3:50pm Nottingham to London St Pancras service.
British Transport Police declared a major incident, and emergency services responded with more than 20 ambulances, six air ambulances and specialist rescue teams. Authorities have confirmed that 28 people remain in hospital, with nine in critical condition.
Network Rail has now warned that disruption will continue until at least 28 June while a complex recovery and repair operation takes place.
The closure will have a direct impact on passengers travelling from North Derbyshire stations including Chesterfield, with services to and from London significantly reduced.
From Monday, EMR will operate just one train per hour between Sheffield and Bedford, calling at Chesterfield, Derby, Long Eaton, East Midlands Parkway, Loughborough, Leicester, Market Harborough, Kettering and Bedford.
A separate hourly service will run between Nottingham and Bedford, serving Beeston, East Midlands Parkway, Loughborough, Leicester, Market Harborough, Kettering, Wellingborough and Bedford.
No EMR services will operate between Bedford and London St Pancras until at least Friday, forcing passengers to use alternative routes and replacement travel arrangements.
Network Rail said engineers must first remove damaged trains and carriages before assessing and repairing the track and overhead power lines. Two specialist rail-mounted cranes will be used to lift the damaged vehicles from the site before they are transported away by road.
EMR Managing Director Will Rogers expressed his condolences following the tragedy.
“Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences remain with the family of the driver who died in the crash,” he said. “We are also thinking of those who were injured, their loved ones, and all colleagues and customers affected by this incident.”
Passengers are being advised to travel only if essential and to check the latest service information before setting out.
Tickets will be accepted on alternative routes and other train operators while the line remains closed.
