There will be no direct train services between Scotland and London this weekend as Network Rail carries out engineering work on two major routes at once - meaning thousands of passengers face major disruption.
Network Rail is closing sections of both the East Coast and West Coast main lines on Saturday and Sunday, blaming a "congested work programme". That means journeys between London and Scotland will require at least one change and will take longer.
Watchdog Transport Focus told the PA news agency “this situation should not happen”.
PA said an itinerary suggested by National Rail Enquiries for passengers travelling from London to Edinburgh on Saturday morning involves three trains and one bus. That journey would take six hours and 12 minutes, nearly two hours longer than the normal direct service.
READ MORE: More rail strikes on the way next month
The West Coast main line between London and Glasgow, which also has a branch to Edinburgh, will be closed between Wigan North Western and Lancaster during the next three weekends and on Sunday March 12 for track upgrades at Preston station.
Normally when that route is disrupted there is a full service on the East Coast mainline, which runs between London and Edinburgh via Peterborough, York and Newcastle.
But this weekend there are no trains between London and St Neots, Cambridgeshire, as a new signalling system is brought into use.
Among the operators affected this weekend are Avanti West Coast, LNER and Lumo.
Transport Focus chief executive Anthony Smith said: “Passengers will be disappointed to see both East and West Coast lines closed due to engineering works this coming weekend.
“This situation should not happen.
“One line should be kept open so that passengers from Scotland and the north of England have access to a direct train service to London.
“Both train operators and Network Rail must ensure that there is effective communication to support passengers.”
A spokeswoman for Network Rail said: “We always try to have a direct cross-border route open, but that has not been possible on this occasion.
“The industry – both Network Rail and train operators – have looked at the alternatives, all of which cause more disruption for passengers.
“We also have a congested work programme caused by landslips, floods and strikes, severely limiting those alternatives.
“We understand the inconvenience this will cause to some of our customers and wish to reassure them that this will be a one-off.”
Don't miss the latest headlines with our twice-daily newsletter - sign up here for free.
