Watch as railway engineers respond to flooding on the Marston Vale line between Milton Keynes and Bedford

Network Rail engineers are working as fast as possible to make the route safe for trains to run and reopen the line for passengers.

Since yesterday (Monday, September 23) no trains have been able to run in either direction on the Marston Vale line between Bedford and Bletchley. The railway is expected to be closed for around seven days, until the rain water has subsided.

Gary Walsh, West Coast South’s route director, said: “I'm sorry to passengers affected by the flooding. We have specialist repair teams on site working as fast as they can to make the railway safe. The area around the Marston Vale line has experienced unprecedented levels of rainfall, affecting not only the railway but the road infrastructure and local housing too.

“Disruption is expected throughout the week so we’re urging people to plan their journeys and check before they travel with their train operator or National Rail Enquiries.”

While the railway is closed, London Northwestern Railway is operating a replacement bus service for passengers between Bletchley and Bedford with customers advised to plan their journey at www.nationalrail.co.uk.

Jonny Wiseman, customer experience director for London Northwestern Railway, said: “I would like to thank our customers for their patience while the Marston Vale line remains closed due to the severe flooding which has affected the region.

“Rail replacement transport is in operation but with floods also impacting local roads, passengers are advised to leave extra time for their journeys.”

The flooding has affected the signalling equipment on the track and the power supply for the railway equipment on the Marston Vale line. The rainfall has flooded several level crossings along the line and Network Rail engineers are working to bring the track and the crossings back into service as soon as possible.

Due to the torrential downpour, it has been “harder than usual” to inspect the railway and there is still a large volume of water to be cleared before testing can take place.

Network Rail states it aims to make the railway “more robust and reliable” as the UK faces more extreme weather conditions due to climate change. It has vowed to invest in the Marston Vale line between Bedford and Bletchley over the next five years, including the closure of some of the level crossings that are prone to flooding from water running off the road and onto the railway.

You can visit their dedicated site here for more information on how storms impact the railway.