National Rail has cautioned passengers travelling between London St Pancras International and Leicester to expect severe disruptions until at least the end of Saturday, as emergency services remain on the scene dealing with a major incident.
A train driver lost his life and 89 people sustained injuries after two passenger trains collided on the stretch between Bedford and Luton on Friday, June 19.
Eleven people were left with "very serious" injuries and a further 22 suffered serious harm when the two trains crashed into one another. An additional 56 passengers sustained minor injuries.
The collision occurred at approximately 5.15pm, resulting in the complete closure of all lines between Luton and Bedford as emergency services flooded the area to manage the aftermath.
"Whilst they carry out their work, all lines are closed," National Rail confirmed, in reference to the ongoing emergency response.
"Trains between London St Pancras International and Leicester will be cancelled or revised. Major disruption is expected until at least the end of the day," National Rail added.
"NO trains will run between Bedford and London St Pancras International."
London Northwestern Railway services have also been impacted by the incident.
East Midlands Railway is yet to confirm its timetable for services operating north of Bedford on Saturday.
National Rail has advised that passengers originally booked to travel on Friday, June 19 will have their tickets honoured on Saturday, June 20.
"Your ticket can be used at no extra cost to travel via the following alternative routes," the operator confirmed.
Alternative Train Routes
The following alternative train routes are available until the end of Saturday:
Sheffield
You may travel to Doncaster with CrossCountry, TransPennine Express or Northern where you should change for a train to London Kings Cross. It is likely to take between two and two-and-a-half hours to complete this journey. LNER, who run the trains between Doncaster and London Kings Cross, recommend booking a seat reservation. This can be done up to five minutes before the train departs at the LNER website.
Derby / Chesterfield
You may travel to Birmingham New Street with CrossCountry where you should change for a train to London Euston with London Northwestern Railway or Avanti West Coast. It is likely to take between two-and-a-half and three hours to complete this journey.
Nottingham
You may travel to Grantham with EMR where you should change for a train to London Kings Cross. It is likely to take between two and two-and-a-half hours to complete this journey. LNER recommend booking a seat reservation.
Leicester
You may travel to Nuneaton with CrossCountry where you should change for a train to London Euston with Avanti West Coast or London Northwestern Railway. It is likely to take two hours to complete this journey.
National Rail confirmed that all these alternative route options are equally accessible in the reverse direction.
"Don't worry about your ticket, other train operators know about the disruption to your journey and your ticket can be used at no extra cost on their trains," National Rail said.
National Rail further advised that East Midlands Railway guarantees that should a passenger need to begin their outward journey from a different operator's station owing to this disruption, they will retain the right to travel back to that station upon their return, irrespective of whether the disruption has concluded or their ticket type.
