“Major works” to Chiltern Railway and HS2 to cause 12 weeks of disruption
A full three months of rail works are starting at Aylesbury station.
Last updated 7th Aug 2023
No trains are expected to run until the end of October between the stations of Aylesbury, Princes Risborough and Amersham in Buckinghamshire, Network Rail announced.
During that time, repairs will be made to a Chiltern Railway line, alongside works on the controversial HS2 high speed train tracks.
Three years into its construction, residents are still showing strong opposition to the high-speed line, which has been causing major disruptions on rail services and roads around the county, forcing commuters to adapt their journeys.
Jonathan Cook, from Network Rail, said: “We’ve got some major wors taking place through Aylesbury. We’re going to be replacing a damaged culvert beneath the railway and also working with HS2 to prepare for the new railway.”
The first 12 days will be dedicated to the repairs, followed by 10 weeks of progress on the high-speed line, which will run under existing tracks.
Meanwhile, passengers at Aylesbury Station expressed their frustration at HS2, a project they said they “don’t want”, which they labelled “a waste of money” and a “nimby” (understand “not in my backyard”).
In response to residents’ concerns, Mr Cook said: “We understand there’s never a good time to close the railway, but we do need to carry out those important upgrades.”
The high-speed train is set to join Euston Station in London to Birmingham, Manchester and even Scotland, promising journeys of 49 minutes from London to Birmingham.
Patrick Cawly, director of ‘On Network Works’, said HS2 would “transform journeys between London, the Midlands and the North”.
Network Rail understands residents’ frustration and wants to reassure passengers travelling along the blocked off route that replacement buses will be running and advised train users to plan their journeys ahead at www.networkrail.co.uk/pra.