Network Rail is to carry out major track upgrades over the next four weekends between Chester and Crewe.
Passengers on the key route connecting North Wales to the North West will benefit from railway lines which are better protected from flash flooding.
Winter and summer storms bringing exceptional rainfall in recent years have led to lines becoming swamped, causing long delays for passengers and freight. A £250,000 Great North Rail Project investment will improve drainage on the route to prevent heavy rain from flooding tracks.
“In recent years the region’s railway has taken a battering from storms and we’re targeting problem areas now before winter arrives,” said Chris Pye, Network Rail’s infrastructure director for the North West.
“While we try our best to do work overnight, unfortunately the scale of this drainage work means we must close the line between Crewe and Chester so our engineers can safely improve the railway. I’d urge anyone planning to travel over the next four weekends to please check National Rail Enquiries to plan their journeys. I’d also like to thank passengers in advance for their patience.”
The line between Chester and Crewe will close on the weekends of 4-5, 11-12, 18-19 and 25-26 September. During the four weekend closures Avanti West Coast services will be diverted. Transport for Wales passengers will be kept on the move via rail replacement buses operating between Crewe and Chester stations.
Photo credit: Network Rail
