PASSENGERS travelling on the West Coast main line south of Rugby are being advised to plan their journeys as major flood prevention work gets underway.
Railway drainage upgrades to improve journeys between Rugby and Milton Keynes began today (Tuesday January 4) and will continue until Wednesday January 12.
The work will prevent heavy rain from flooding tracks, making the route more reliable for passengers and freight.
Trains are being diverted via Northampton to bypass the 4km-long stretch of track being upgraded – adding around 25 minutes onto journeys for Avanti West Coast customers.
London Northwestern Railway passengers travelling between Crewe and Euston will need to change trains at Rugby.
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. However, 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.”
Visit www.nationalrail.co.uk to plan journeys in advance.
