Flooding prevention work goes ahead on West Coast Main Line

Work to prevent flooding on the West Coast Main Line begins today (Tuesday, 4 January).

The aim is to improve journeys running between Milton Keynes and Rugby by stopping heavy rain from flooding the tracks.

West Midlands Trains is urging passengers to check their journeys before heading out whilst the project is underway. It is scheduled to be completed by 12 January.

Whilst the improvements are being carried out, trains will be diverted via Northampton to bypass the 4km of trackside drainage work. This will extend journey times, with London Northwestern Railway running fewer services between Crewe and Euston. Some passengers will need to change trains at Rugby to complete their journeys.

James Dean, Network Rail’s West Coast South route director, said: “This major work on the West Coast Main Line is vital to protect it from the risk of future flooding. We always try to do our work with the least disruption to passengers as possible, and during this project we can keep people on the move by using a diversionary route.

“There will be fewer services, longer journey times, and some passengers may need to change trains, so I’d urge people to please check National Rail Enquiries before they travel.”

Lawrence Bowman, customer experience director for London Northwestern Railway, said: “This essential maintenance will improve the reliability of our rail infrastructure and reduce the likelihood of delays in the future. I urge customers to plan their rail travel in advance during the West Coast Main Line work near Milton Keynes in January when some journeys will take longer.”

Gus Dunster, executive director of operations and safety at Avanti West Coast, said: “As Network Rail carries out essential works near Milton Keynes in January, there’ll be changes to our services and extended journey times to and from London Euston.

“We strongly recommend you make a reservation, plan your journey in advance as well as check the National Rail Enquiries website before travelling.”

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