- Railway upgrades are taking place in Liverpool and Coventry between 29-31 August to improve the railway for passengers
- Passengers are advised to plan ahead and check before they travel
- Please continue following Government advice around the use of public transport – wear a face covering if not exempt, maintain a distance from others and avoid peak times where possible
Passengers are being advised to check before they travel this weekend with improvement work on the West Coast main line on Merseyside and in the West Midlands over the August bank holiday.
The multi-million-pound investment as part of Britain’s Railway Upgrade Plan will see signalling upgrades in Liverpool* and multiple upgrades resulting in the full closure of the railway between Rugby and Coventry** between Saturday 29 and Monday 31 August 2020.
This work will make journeys more reliable on Europe’s busiest mixed-used passenger and freight railway line.
Passengers who plan to travel are being warned to expect changes to their usual journey and urged to check www.nationalrail.co.uk/westcoast to see how their trip will be impacted.
They should continue to follow Government guidance on public transport – wear a face covering unless they are exempt and maintain a distance from other passengers where possible.
Jake Kelly, passenger director for Network Rail, said: “We know there is never a good time to close the railway, but when we do, we try to get as much work done as possible. This August bank holiday is no exception, with essential Railway Upgrade Plan work taking place to improve freight and passenger journeys in the West Midlands and on Merseyside.
“I’d urge people to plan ahead of this major work. In particular, I’d advise those planning to travel from Birmingham to London to try to travel before the closure of the railway between Rugby and Coventry if possible. Please check National Rail Enquiries for the latest information and be prepared for your journey to be very different to how it is normally.”
People who have to travel by rail between 29-31 August should plan ahead and be prepared for changes to their usual journey, if travelling on the affected sections of the West Coast main line.
Social distancing measures will see queuing systems in place when boarding services in some stations.
There will also be less space on trains and replacement buses.
Travellers must wear a face covering on train services and any replacement bus services. Those who fail to do so risk being fined £100.
However, some people are exempt, including young children and people with hidden disabilities or breathing difficulties.
For more information visit www.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19-safer-travel-guidance-for-passengers
Please check www.nationalrail.co.uk for the latest travel information.
*Essential railway improvements on the ‘Coventry corridor’
Essential railway improvements are taking place between the West Midlands and London this August bank holiday making journeys more reliable for passengers and freight.
To maximise the amount of work which can be done between Saturday 29 and Monday 31 August 2020, the railway will be entirely closed to trains between Rugby and Coventry.
With all trains running between Birmingham New Street and London Euston affected during this time, passengers are being advised to travel before and after the railway closure, on or before Friday 28 August and on or after Tuesday 1 September.
The railway will be closed again on Sunday 6 September with the same travel advice for passengers.
For those who do choose to travel during the improvement work, a reduced timetable will be in place and replacement bus services will be in operation.
Passengers are being warned to expect changes to their usual journey and should check www.nationalrail.co.uk/westcoast to see how their trip will be impacted.
**Signalling upgrades at Ditton
Passengers are advised to check before they travel ahead of the signalling work in the Liverpool City region this August bank holiday.
Trains will be diverted onto different routes during the work keeping services running in and out of Liverpool.
Some rail replacement buses will be in operation between Warrington – Runcorn and Crewe – Liverpool South Parkway.
Signalling control is being moved from Ditton to the state-of-the-art Manchester Rail Operating Centre (ROC). This will mean signallers can rapidly respond to disruption and route trains faster to minimise delays in future.
Liverpool Lime Street, Halton, Runcorn, Allerton, Speke and Garston have been moved to the same system over the last couple of years.
Please check with your train operator or at www.nationalrail.co.uk to know what to expect in advance.
Photo credit: Network Rail
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