Easter Disruption Ahead as £400m West Coast Main Line Upgrades Continue

Passengers planning to travel on the West Coast Main Line over the Easter period are being advised to check their journeys in advance as a major phase of upgrade work takes place across the route. Network Rail says the work forms part of a long-term programme aimed at improving reliability on one of Europe’s busiest railways.

Between 3 and 20 April, the latest stage of a £400m investment will be carried out on the West Coast Main Line, which links London with the Midlands, North West and Scotland. The works span a wide geographical area, from Euston in the south to Preston in the north, and include extensive signalling, track and overhead line improvements designed to deliver smoother and more resilient journeys.

Key projects being completed over the period include the renewal of track, signalling and overhead line equipment between Euston and Milton Keynes, signalling and track upgrades between Preston and Oxenholme, and overhead line improvements across sections between Preston, Lancaster and Fylde. Network Rail says these upgrades are essential to modernising infrastructure that is under increasing strain.

As a result of the work, passengers travelling between London and Scotland via Cumbria, Manchester and the West Midlands will see changes to services. From 3 to 8 April, no main line trains will operate between Euston and Milton Keynes Central. On Good Friday, 3 April, and Easter Monday, 6 April, DC Line services will run between Euston and Willesden Junction, while services will extend to Watford Junction on 7 and 8 April. Rail replacement buses will operate between Milton Keynes and Bedford, and between Milton Keynes and Potters Bar via Watford.

Further disruption is expected in the North West. No trains will run between Preston and Oxenholme on 4 and 5 April, with services diverted onto the Settle-Carlisle line and buses replacing trains on affected sections. Between 3 and 6 April, trains will also be suspended between Great Missenden and Aylesbury, where bus replacement services will be provided.

A second closure between Preston and Lancaster is planned from 11 to 20 April. During this period, trains will again divert via the Settle-Carlisle line, with services operating between Oxenholme and Carlisle and bus replacements in place where required. Network Rail confirmed that the Settle-Carlisle route will be opened to additional passenger services during this time.

The West Coast Main Line is undergoing its most significant overhaul in more than half a century. Carrying almost 2,000 passenger services and around 15,000 tonnes of freight each day, the line’s ageing infrastructure is being upgraded to cope with future demand, with passenger numbers forecast to double by 2050.

Julien Dehornoy, North West & Central Deputy Regional Managing Director at Network Rail, said:

"The West Coast Main Line is one of Britain's most important railway lines. We're investing in it over this Easter period to ensure a more reliable, resilient railway that communities and businesses can depend on for decades to come. Passengers should be aware that this work will mean some changes to journeys and should plan their trips ahead of time."

Image: Network Rail