Mildmay line closures: Overground line will partially close at weekends until April

Ah the Overground. Just after it was given a massive makeover, it’s already closing on the weekends. Well, one line will be closing, Network Rail, which operates the line, has announced. During the next six weeks passengers along the Mildmay line (that’s Stratford to Richmond/Clapham) have been warned to plan their travel in advance on weekends as the line will be partially closed. Don’t worry, because there will be rail replacement buses.  

Network Rail is giving the newly rebranded blue line ‘vital’ upgrades, which will involve replacing parts of the track. Rory O’Neill, TfL’s general manager for London Overground, said: ‘This maintenance work is vital to ensure we can continue to operate the most reliable possible service for customers. I would like to apologise to our customers for the disruption and ask them to check before they travel and allow a little extra time to complete their journeys.’ Want to know how it will affect you? Here’s all the information. 

Why is the Mildmay line closing?

Network Rail needs to replace ‘worn out’ parts of the track near Stratford. Engineers will remove 675 metres of old track, and install brand-new rails, sleepers and ballast. There is a lot of wear and tear on the section of track being replaced because it is intensively used by heavy freight trains. The track replacement work will reduce the chance of faults in future that could have a major knock-on effect on passenger services.

Engineers will also replace materials on a bridge that carries the railway over Chalk Farm Road to the west of Camden Road station. Worn down wheel timbers – which hold the rails in place across certain types of bridge – will be replaced with more durable ones that should last up to 50 years. 

When will it be closed?

The Mildmay line will close on weekends between now and April. Here are all the dates:

• Sunday January 19 – no service between Gospel Oak and Stratford, or between Willesden Junction and Clapham Junction
• Saturday January 25 and Sunday January 26 – no service between Gospel Oak and Stratford
• Saturday February 1 and Sunday February 2 – no service between Gospel Oak and Stratford
• Saturday February 8 – no service between Camden Road and Stratford
• Sunday February 9 – no service between Gospel Oak and Stratford
• Sunday February 16 – no service between Camden Road and Stratford
• Sunday March 30 – no service between Camden Road and Stratford

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