Track, cabling, overhead lines and signalling will be upgraded at the Acton Grange junction between Crewe and Preston, between 20 July and 4 August. The route is used by more than 260 trains a day.

But passenger watchdog Transport Focus said giving passengers less than 12 weeks warning of the closure is not good enough. “People recognise that engineering work is necessary to renew and improve the railway,” said chief executive Anthony Smith. “They even accept this is often best completed in quieter holiday periods. But not getting the information out on time is really disappointing.”

Network Rail’s managing director for the London North Western route Martin Frobisher said the junction needs to be replaced to ensure a reliable railway for many years to come. “To deliver work of this scale and magnitude, we must close the junction for 16 days this summer. The alternative would be many weekends of disruption to passengers and much higher cost.

“We have worked closely with our train and freight operator colleagues to minimise the disruption and to keep as many trains moving as possible. I would urge passengers to plan ahead and check before they travel.”

Rail Delivery Group regional director Robert Nisbet added: “This vital engineering work is part of the rail industry’s plan to improve punctuality and make journeys better while keeping disruption to a minimum as much as we can.”

(Photograph: Network Rail)