The West Coast Main Line will be closed between London Euston and Watford Junction from midnight on Saturday, 19 September 2026 until 16:00 on Sunday, 20 September 2026 for emergency removal of the Oxhey Grange footbridge near Watford.
Network Rail initiated the closure after routine inspections on 26 July revealed the footbridge had deteriorated faster than expected. Engineers declared removal necessary to maintain safety for passengers, railway staff, and residents. The operation will involve a specialist heavy-lift crane standing 100 metres tall with a 1,200-tonne lifting capacity to remove the bridge in a single lift.
The closure affects all four
West Coast Main Line tracks and the adjacent London Overground Lioness line beneath the bridge. Train services on London Northwestern Railway and Avanti West Coast will be suspended on routes between London Euston and Watford Junction or Milton Keynes Central until 16:00 on 20 September. No Avanti West Coast trains will operate between London Euston and Milton Keynes Central during this period.
Rail replacement buses will run between Milton Keynes Central and Bedford, as well as between Watford Junction and Potters Bar. Passengers are advised to use Great Northern, Thameslink, or East Midlands Railway services between Bedford and London St
Pancras, and Great Northern or Thameslink services between Potters Bar and London Kings Cross.
Preparatory work, including structural monitoring, site surveys, and the construction of a crane platform, is underway at the site. Temporary speed restrictions have been applied beneath the bridge while these preparations are completed.
Gary Walsh, Network Rail’s West Coast South route director, said: “Following a routine safety inspection, Network Rail closed the footbridge at Oxhey Grange after identifying significant deterioration of the structure. The safety of residents, bridge users, railway colleagues and passengers remains our top priority, and further assessments have shown the bridge now needs
to be removed as soon as possible.” Walsh added that Network Rail is developing replacement bridge proposals and intends to engage with the local community during this process.
Jonny Wiseman, customer experience director at London Northwestern Railway, confirmed, “Rail replacement buses will be running and we are working closely with industry partners to offer alternative rail routes for those travelling to and from London. I encourage anyone planning to travel on the affected date to plan their route in advance and leave extra time for their journey.” Rory O’Neill, TfL general manager for London Overground, thanked customers for their patience
and urged passengers to check travel information and allow extra time. Chris Liptrot, operations director at Avanti West Coast, advised customers to avoid travel on 20 September if possible or use an alternative date.
Passengers are urged to avoid travel during the closure and to check updated timetables from 7 September 2026 in journey planners. Full service on the London Overground Lioness line will resume after 16:00 on 20 September.
