North West rail improvements planned this May Bank Holiday

Passengers travelling on the West Coast main line and North West rail routes are being advised to check before they travel ahead of important railway upgrades over the early May Bank Holiday.

Network Rail is carrying out major projects between Saturday 4th and Monday 6th May to improve the region’s railway for passengers and freight.

The work includes:

• Track and drainage upgrades in Crewe.
• Essential maintenance between Runcorn and Warrington.
• Important drainage improvements between Wigan and Liverpool.
• Continuing to electrify the line between Wigan and Bolton.
• Track maintenance and signalling work in Carlisle.

For the work to take place, there will be changes to rail services. Some trains will use diversionary routes, some will not run at all. Rail replacement buses will be in operation.

Passengers are being advised to plan their journey on: 

www.nationalrail.co.uk.

Phil James, Network Rail’s North West route director, said: 

“We made great progress on major railway improvements over Easter and I’d like to thank passengers for their continued patience while we carry out more must-do work between Saturday 4 and Monday 6 May. We know there is never an ideal time to shut the railway, but bank holidays continue to be the least disruptive time for us to carry out this essential maintenance.

“With sections of railway needing to close for our important work, please check National Rail Enquiries in advance to see how your journey could be impacted.”

In the South of the West Coast Main Line, the railway will be closed between Euston and Milton Keynes on Sunday 5 May, as engineers upgrade the track. Passengers travelling to or from Euston on Sunday 5 May are advised to travel via Kings Cross and get a bus replacement service to or from Milton Keynes. Trains will start and terminate at Milton Keynes Central, where there will be rail replacement services to and from Bedford.  

Passengers are advised to plan ahead through their train operator or by visiting: 

www.nationalrail.co.uk

Rail replacement buses will be in operation between:

• Crewe to Preston
• Preston, Carlisle and Glasgow
• Liverpool Lime Street and Chester
• Liverpool Lime Street and Warrington Central
• Liverpool Lime Street and Crewe
• Liverpool Lime Street, St Helens and Preston
• Manchester and Wigan North Western