Passengers travelling on the West Coast Main Line this Christmas are being urged to check before they travel ahead of a programme of major railway improvements.
Between 25 December and 15 January, thousands of workers from Network Rail and its supply chain will be upgrading sections of the line between London and Cumbria to improve future journeys on one of Britain’s busiest rail routes.
Among the hundreds of journey improving projects, the largest are:
• A £60 million replacement of a 130-metre-long bridge over the M6 near Penrith.
• A £26 million upgrade to the extremely busy Hanslope Junction close to Milton Keynes.
• A rolling £61 million programme of signalling upgrades north of Carlisle.
• A £6 million project to replace signalling gantries at Preston station.
Alongside the biggest schemes, there will also be a number of other improvements underway across the 309-mile length of the West Coast Main Line between London Euston and the Scottish border. These include renewals to overhead lines, station platforms, track, signalling systems, and bridges.
It comes as part of ongoing investment of £400 million by Network Rail into both the northern and southern sections of the West Coast Main Line over the next four years.
While the work is going on, significant sections of the line will have to be closed over a 22-day period between Christmas Eve and 15 January.
Network Rail has been working closely with train operators to try and keep passengers on trains for as much of their journey as possible; for instance, the Settle to Carlisle line will be used as a diversionary route for long-distance services for the first time in a decade.
Where there are no alternative rail routes, replacement buses will be in place to get people to where they need to be.
Passengers should visit www.nationalrail.co.uk for the latest travel information and check with train operating companies for more information on services.
Christian Irwin OBE, Network Rail’s capital delivery director for the North West & Central region, said: “This critical work we are delivering over the festive period is a key part of our ongoing major investment plan for the West Coast Main Line, one of the UK’s busiest rail routes.
“These projects will enhance the experience for passengers and freight, improve reliability and performance across the railway line, and ensure it remains fit for purpose for decades to come.
“We know that this work will cause some disruption for those travelling during the festive season so please plan your journeys as early as possible by visiting National Rail Enquiries.”
Image credit: Network Rail
