Comprehensive rail upgrade and maintenance works are planned this Bank Holiday Weekend on the West Coast Mainline between London and Scotland – and Network Rail will again be under close scrutiny to ensure its activities complete on time.

 

Engineering works on the rail network over Easter passed off without a major over run. But works last Christmas failed to complete on time outside two London termini, which led to an inquiry from the Transport Select Committee and a review of how planned engineering works are carried out.

 

This coming Bank Holiday Weekend track renewals and improvements will take place around Carlisle, Crewe, Warrington and Wigan and signalling is to be enhanced around Wolverhampton. New track and signalling equipment will be laid near Stafford as part of a £250M investment to improve capacity and track renewals are to take place between Tring and Hemel Hempstead.

 

Elsewhere the railway between Bolton and Manchester will also be closed as part of an upgrade to the Farnworth Tunnel, which is being made larger to support an electrification programme.

 

“There is never a good time to carry out work of this nature but we have worked with the train operators to plan it to cause the least amount of disruption,” said Network Rail route managing director Martin Frobisher. “These upgrades will help to provide a more reliable railway which is essential as more people choose to travel by train.”

 

(Photo: Network Rail)