London Marathon 2023: Govia Thameslink Railway London services to be impacted by works

A rail operator is advising passengers to plan their travel in and out of London ahead of a weekend packed with several high-profile events, with engineering works due to impact several services.

Network Rail and Govia Thameslink Railway have warned customers of changes to timetables affecting trains in Sussex, Surrey, south and central London on April 22 and 23, potentially impacting those looking to travel into the capital for events such as the London Marathon, the FA Cup semi-final and Extinction Rebellion’s The Big One.

In a joint statement, the companies said buses will replace trains between Streatham Hill and Crystal Palace/West Croydon on both days, with no Thameslink trains connecting London Bridge and St Pancras International or Finsbury Park over the weekend.

Thameslink services from Brighton, Horsham and Rainham will run to amended timetables, terminating at London Bridge, while trains from Bedford and Luton will end at St Pancras, and those from Peterborough and Cambridge will be diverted to King’s Cross.

Tube and bus services will still be running, with the Thameslink amendments caused by Network Rail engineering works replacing 270m of worn rail in the Snow Hill tunnel under Smithfield Market.

The firms added buses will replace trains between Hastings and Ashford International, though services between Ore and London Victoria will still run.

Lucy McAuliffe, Network Rail’s Sussex route director, said: “We plan maintenance closures years in advance and we’re sorry that some passengers making their way to the football or to the marathon will have slightly longer journeys this weekend.

“Please be assured that the majority of routes into and out of London are running as normal.

“The railway needs regular maintenance to keep it running and the bumper package of essential repairs and improvements we have this week will keep passengers moving safely and reliably.”

Jenny Saunders, customer services director for Southern and Thameslink, said: “We thank passengers for their patience while Network Rail carry out this essential work. We’ll still have trains running between Brighton and London, and along our East Coastway route as far as Ore. However, buses will replace services between Brighton and Littlehampton, and between Hastings and Ashford.

“Trains and replacement buses will be very busy on Sunday and there could be queues, so please allow plenty of extra time when planning your journey.”

To plan your journey ahead of the coming weekend, do so using the National Rail Enquiries Journey Planner.