West Coast Main Line passengers are being thanked for their patience after improvements to the overhead power systems for trains this April.
Network Rail and its supply chain partners have replaced over 50km of overhead lines between Preston, Lancaster and Fylde as part of a wider £400 million programme of investment in Lancashire and across the UK’s busiest mixed-use railway line.
Between Saturday 11 and Sunday 19 April it saw changes to journeys for passengers on the West Coast Main Line north.
It also saw signalling systems improved between Carlisle and the Scottish border.
Paul Danks, Network Rail senior programme manager, said: “Upgrading the overhead power systems for trains is vital to keep passenger and freight services running smoothly, and replacing 50kms over an extended railway closure will mean more reliable journeys in future.
“We know there’s never a good time to close the railway, so we thank those who’ve been impacted by these essential upgrades in Lancashire and Cumbria. It’s all part of our ongoing investment into the West Coast Main Line over the next several years.”
Meanwhile, passengers are being reminded to plan journeys in advance of upcoming work in less than a fortnight over the early May bank holiday from 2-4 May.
In the North West, Liverpool Lime Street station will be completely closed on the Sunday and Monday morning for essential upgrades to signalling systems in the Edge Hill area, and more overhead line renewals will take place between Warrington and Preston.
Further south, a reduced timetable will be in place for those travelling to Euston while track improvements take place in North West London.
Later in May and into June there will also be further journey-improving railway upgrades on the West Coast Main Line which will impact journeys.
Image credit: Network Rail
