Getting to Heathrow set to be difficult this weekend

Travellers heading for Heathrow Airport this weekend were being warned to plan ahead on Thursday, with the possibility that two of the three rail services to the airport would be out of action.

Transport for London confirmed the Picadilly Line would have no service between central London and the airport precinct on 5-6 March, as the local government body was replacing 700 metres of track at Turnham Green and renewing a set of signalling points at Acton Town.

That work was also affecting the District Line.

Additionally, the Heathrow Connect rail service between Paddington and Heathrow was still out of service as of Thursday, as its trains had been commandeered by its sister service.

It was initially suspended on Monday after a crack was found in one of the trains on the premium Heathrow Express. Most Express trains were taken offline, with the Connect stock being used in their place.

TfL said it would run rail replacement buses between Ealing Broadway and Heathrow on Saturday and Sunday, with Ealing Broadway remaining accessable via the Central line.