Passengers urged to plan ahead of August Bank Holiday West Coast main line upgrades

Passengers are being advised to check before they travel, with improvement work on the West Coast main line on Merseyside this 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.

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.