Rail passengers in the UK are being advised of essential railway upgrade and maintenance work scheduled over the Christmas and New Year period. The initiative aims to enhance the West Coast Main Line and ensure a more reliable railway network for 2024.

This carefully planned program has been designed to minimize disruption to Christmas travel as much as possible. Whenever feasible, improvements are scheduled from the end of service on Sunday, December 24th, until the start of service on Wednesday, December 27th. Vital work will also occur on New Year’s Day, January 1, 2024.

The extensive work includes:

1. Enhancement and maintenance of track, overhead electrical wires, and signalling equipment on the southern approach to Birmingham New Street Station.
2. Upgrading Platform 3 at Lichfield Trent Valley station, which will reopen on the Cross City line early in the new year after the installation of a replacement deck.
3. Ongoing efforts to connect the Strategic Rail Freight Terminal at Northampton to the West Coast Mainline for freight trains’ utilization in 2024.
4. Improvements and maintenance of track, overhead electrical wires, signalling equipment, and bridges from Euston to Crewe.
5. Essential repairs to steelwork and drainage at Manchester Piccadilly station.
6. Maintenance work along the track at Oxenholme in the Lake District.

Additionally, HS2 (High-Speed 2) will carry out construction work to build a new bridge between Birmingham and Derby, allowing the new high-speed railway to pass over existing lines. This work will coincide with improvements on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Travel disruptions are anticipated on New Year’s Day due to railway closures. Passengers can expect busier trains, longer journey times, and rail replacement buses to transport them to their destinations. Cross Country and Avanti services through the West Midlands will divert around planned work, potentially extending travel times. Some services will terminate at Birmingham New Street, requiring passengers to change trains. Rail replacement buses will operate between Crewe, Runcorn, and Liverpool Lime Street, as well as between Lancaster, Carlisle, and Glasgow.

Passengers are encouraged to plan their journeys carefully during this festive season and check National Rail or their train company’s website for up-to-date information on travel arrangements.

For further inquiries, a dedicated 24-hour National Helpline is available at 03457 11 41 41, or individuals can visit the Contact Us page for additional support.