Disruption warning over Thameslink work

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Commuters face stations shutdowns and cancelled services so that the refit, which will increase capacity on the cross-capital Brighton to Bedford line, can be done.

Train operator First Capital Connect has embarked on a PR campaign, painting trains in multi-coloured stripes, to alert passengers to the work.

Blackfriars Tube station, used by more than 44,000 people a day, will close in March for redevelopment and not reopen until 2011. Commuters will have to use Mansion House or Temple instead. The mainline rail section of Blackfriars will remain open.

Farringdon station will also stay open but there will be major disruption as it is remodelled. The Thameslink branch to Moorgate closes permanently in March.

The first phase of the works - which will increase capacity from 4,500 passengers an hour to 12,000, are planned for completion in time for the Olympics.

By early 2012, Thameslink trains will be lengthened from eight carriages to 12 between Bedford and central London. Services through central London will double from eight to 16 an hour.

A First Capital Connect spokesman said two trains had been repainted to make customers aware of the project so they can plan alternative routes.

"The colours we have chosen to paint the trains are very striking. We want to encourage passengers to log onto our website, thameslinkprogramme.co.uk, which is written on the side of these trains."