Millions of rail passengers to face disruption over May bank holiday weekends

1 May 2026 • 12:50 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Millions of rail passengers to face disruption over May bank holiday weekends

  • Millions of rail passengers across the UK will face significant disruption due to extensive Network Rail engineering works scheduled over both May bank holiday weekends.
  • The East Coast Main Line will experience closures in North Yorkshire, leading to extended journey times between Newcastle and London King's Cross by nearly two hours.
  • Liverpool’s main station, Lime Street, will be fully closed on the first bank holiday Sunday and Monday, while London's Charing Cross will also close for the early May weekend.
  • Further disruption in late May includes repeated East Coast Main Line issues, closure of the main England-Wales rail link through the Severn Tunnel until 8 June, and the Thameslink north-south route through London.
  • Network Rail said that scheduling the work over bank holidays helps to minimise overall disruption and deliver best value, despite the inconvenience to passengers.

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