Passengers travelling on the West Coast main line and North West rail routes are being advised to check before they travel ahead of multi-million pound railway upgrades over the early May bank holiday.
Network Rail is carrying out major projects between Saturday 29 April and Monday 1 May to improve the region’s railway for passengers and freight.
The work includes:
- Platform extensions at Leyland station
- Track upgrades at Caldew in Cumbria
- New track being installed at Euxton junction in Lancashire
- Signalling work at Basford Hall in Crewe
- Track foundation stone improvements in Wigan
- Follow up work at Stalybridge as part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade (Saturday 29 & Sunday 30 April)*
- Ongoing construction of a new Merseyrail station at Headbolt Lane in Kirkby
For the work to take place some sections of the West Coast main line will be closed during Sunday 30 April or Monday 1 May, between Lancaster and Carlisle and on the Lakes line between Oxenholme and Windermere.
Passengers are being advised to see if their journey could be impacted by checking www.nationalrail.co.uk.
During the work people could have to change trains, have longer journeys, services will be busier, and in some cases travellers will need to use rail replacement buses.
Phil James, Network Rail’s North West route director, said: “We made great progress on major railway improvements over Easter and I’d like to thank passengers for their continued patience while we carry out more must-do work between Saturday 29 April and Monday 2 May. We know there is never an ideal time to shut the railway, but bank holidays continue to be the least disruptive time for us to carry out this essential maintenance.
“With sections of railway needing to close for our important work, please check National Rail Enquiries in advance to see how your journey could be impacted.”
Towards London, Euston station will be closed for improvement work to take place on Sunday 30 April.
- Read more: Euston station closed on Sunday 30 April
Nationally Network Rail is investing £73m and carrying out a total of 610 railway upgrade projects over the early May bank holiday weekend.
Passengers are advised to plan ahead through their train operator or by visiting the www.nationalrail.co.uk website.
Photo credit: Network Rail
