Network Rail has confirmed it is set to undertake more than 630 projects worth £133 million to improve railway infrastructure across Britain during the early and late May Bank holidays.  

The rail body said the projects are designed to keep most of the network open for travel as usual and that working over the bank holiday allows them three clear days for significant improvements.

The most notable projects are on 4 and 5 May as no trains will run to or from London Euston and Milton Keynes Central due to embankment repairs, track renewal, and drainage works.

London Victoria services will also be heavily affected, with platforms 1–8 closed and no Southeastern trains running on 3 and 4 May but services will be diverted via London Bridge or Cannon Street, while Gatwick Express and Southern services operate reduced timetables.

Meanwhile, no trains will run between Cambridge and Audley End from 3 to 5 May amid re-signalling works linked to the future Cambridge South station, with replacement buses in operation.

Further disruption is expected during the late May bank holiday, with no services between London St Pancras and Bedford on 24 and 25 May due to overhead line upgrades, and a reduced timetable between Nuneaton and Stafford from 24 to 30 May owing to HS2 and structures work.

Network Rail hope this work will provide improvements that will minimise disruption for passengers and freight users.

Passengers planning to catch a train to visit friends and family or take a trip over the bank holiday are encouraged to check whether their journey will be impacted by work taking place.

Helen Hamlin, Network Rail's director of system operations, said: "While the vast majority of the network will remain open for business as usual, we're encouraging passengers planning to use the railway to check their journeys in advance.

"When we close parts of the railway, we work hard to maximise that time—with over 630 vital pieces of work being carried out – and keep disruption to a minimum for passengers and freight customers."

Passengers should check with National Rail Enquiries or their operator for information on their journeys.