Traveling to London airports will be challenging this Christmas due to extensive rail closures affecting key routes and services
London: This Christmas, getting to the airports in London is going to be a bit of a hassle. The rail network is shutting down for repairs, and it’s going to affect a lot of travelers.
Both Liverpool Street and Paddington stations will be closed, which means the Stansted Express and Heathrow Express services will be disrupted. If you’re planning to fly, you might want to rethink your travel plans.
Plus, there’s a partial closure of the Midland Main Line, which will impact services to Luton and Gatwick airports. It’s all part of a big upgrade project that’s costing £142 million.
And if you’re heading to a football match, be aware that the rail shutdown will also affect fans going to see Arsenal and Tottenham play after Christmas.
On top of that, there’s a strike affecting Avanti West Coast trains, which means even more chaos. RMT members will be off work on December 31, January 2, and every Sunday until the end of May.
Even though Euston station will stay open, it’s best to avoid it if you can. Jonny Wiseman from London Northwestern Railway suggests traveling before Christmas Eve or after January 2 to dodge the crowds.
Train services will wrap up early on Christmas Eve, and there won’t be any trains on Christmas Day. Boxing Day will have just a few services running.
So, if you’re traveling, make sure to reserve a seat and pack light. Daniel Mann from Rail Delivery Group advises everyone to plan ahead since more people are expected to travel this year compared to last.
As for Liverpool Street, it’s the busiest station in the UK and will be closed from December 25 to January 1 for repairs. Stansted Express trains will be rerouted, and only a limited service will run on Boxing Day.
Paddington will be closed from December 27 to 29, affecting the Elizabeth line and Heathrow Express. Passengers will need to use alternative routes to get to Heathrow.
St Pancras will also see disruptions, with the Midland Main Line closed for upgrades. This means longer travel times and bus replacements for those heading to Luton.
Football fans should plan ahead too. The Arsenal match on December 27 will require Ipswich fans to take a bus from Billericay, and Spurs fans will have fewer trains to White Hart Lane.
On a brighter note, Chiltern Railways is adding more trains for Boxing Day shoppers, and National Express is ramping up its coach services to help travelers during the festive season.
So, if you’re flying or heading to a match, just be prepared for some extra travel time and plan accordingly!