Passengers travelling to and from London Luton Airport are being warned to expect significant disruption for at least the next week following Friday’s fatal train collision near Bedford.

Network Rail has advised customers to travel only if their journey is essential after the crash, which involved two East Midlands Railway (EMR) trains and resulted in the death of a train driver and injuries to around 100 passengers.

The railway is expected to remain closed between Bedford and Luton until at least this Sunday (28 June), and will have a major impact on rail passengers travelling to the airport, which remains fully operational.

There will be no Thameslink Railway services north of Luton and no EMR services south of Bedford, with only a limited rail replacement bus service operating between Bedford and Luton.

From today, no EMR services will operate between Bedford and London St Pancras, with trains that would normally continue south – calling at Luton Airport Parkway – instead starting and terminating at Bedford.

Replacement buses will run directly between Bedford and Luton Airport Parkway every 30 minutes. A separate Bedford-Luton shuttle service, calling at Flitwick, Harlington and Leagrave, will operate every 15 minutes during peak periods and every 30 minutes off-peak.

EMR will operate a reduced timetable north of Bedford, with one train an hour running between Sheffield and Bedford, Nottingham and Bedford, and Corby and Kettering. Regional services will remain unaffected.

The operator confirmed that EMR Luton Airport Express services between London St Pancras and Luton Airport Parkway will not run while the recovery operation continues. Passengers can instead use Thameslink services on the same route at no extra cost.

For passengers travelling between Luton Airport Parkway and destinations to the north, rail replacement buses will operate between Luton Airport Parkway and Luton, Bedford and Kettering, with onward connections available at Bedford and Kettering for services towards Sheffield and Nottingham.

EMR is also providing an hourly direct rail replacement bus between Kettering and Luton, as well as an hourly service between Kettering and Luton Airport Parkway via Wellingborough, Bedford and Luton.

Meanwhile, Thameslink services north of London St Pancras will run only as far as Luton from today, with passengers advised to travel only if essential. Four trains an hour will operate during peak periods and two outside peak times.

Network Rail said a complex recovery process has begun to remove the damaged trains, and it will need to construct a temporary access road and a concrete foundation to support a crane needed for the operation.

A spokesperson for Luton Airport told Travel Gossip: “Whilst we have seen no impact to operations at the airport, our advice to passengers is to allow extra time for their journey and check with their train or coach operator for the latest travel information before setting off.”

They added: “Passengers are advised that disruption is expected to continue until at least 28 June while the investigation and recovery operation continues.

“During this period, rail travel to Luton Airport Parkway will be severely limited and we are advising passengers travelling to and from the airport to make alternative travel plans wherever possible. Extra coach services are being provided by National Express and Green Line to support onward journeys.

“Our thoughts remain with all those affected by Friday’s rail incident.”

EMR Managing Director Will Rogers said: “First and foremost, our thoughts and heartfelt condolences remain with the family, friends and colleagues of our driver who tragically lost their life. We are also thinking of those who were injured, their loved ones, and all colleagues and customers affected by this incident. I would also like to thank our teams on the ground and the emergency services again for all their efforts.

“We are working closely with Network Rail and Thameslink to support those involved and assist with the ongoing recovery. Whilst this complex operation is underway, we ask that customers only travel on EMR’s Intercity and Connect services if essential. Please check before you travel.

“As the recovery progresses, we will continue to provide updates and encourage customers to check our dedicated webpage for details. EMR will not be able to operate any rail services between Bedford and London St Pancras this week.

“Our Regional routes remain unaffected. We appreciate our customers’ patience as we work with our industry partners to restore services.”