Passengers urged to plan ahead of major Trent Valley engineering work

Rail passengers are being advised of changes to journeys over nine days in October during major Trent Valley line upgrade work.

Network Rail will replace 1,000 metres of track in Nuneaton and install new signalling equipment in Stafford between Saturday 22 and Sunday 30 October.

It’s part of a £58m investment to improve future journeys on this important stretch of the West Coast main line through the West Midlands.

For these major upgrades to take place the railway will be closed for nine days from this Saturday.

Passengers are being advised that journeys will take longer, could involve rail replacement bus services and that timetables will be different.

With the work coinciding with the school half-term holidays, people are being encouraged to plan ahead by using www.nationalrail.co.uk.

Dave Penney, Network Rail passenger director for the North West and Central region, said:

“These major track and signalling improvements on the Trent Valley line will mean better, smoother and more reliable journeys for passengers and freight in future. However, complex upgrades like these mean we have no choice but to close sections of railway for old sections of track to be ripped up and replaced with new, and for new signalling equipment to be installed and tested.

“Given this work is over the half-term holidays I’d urge anyone planning to travel between 22 – 30 October to please check National Rail Enquiries to plan their journeys. I’d also like to thank passengers in advance for their patience.”

From Saturday 22 to Sunday 30 October:

• Avanti West Coast: An amended timetable and diversions will mean extended journey times for passengers travelling to and from London Euston.
• London Northwestern Railway: Crewe – London Euston services will run between Rugby – London Euston only. Buses replace trains between Rugby and Stafford. Passengers are advised to use alternative services between Stafford and Crewe.
• West Midlands Railway: Buses replace trains between Hednesford and Rugeley Trent Valley, as well as between Bermuda Park and Nuneaton

There will also be changes to services on Sundays from 2 October to 27 November.

Jonny Wiseman, customer experience director at West Midlands Railway and London Northwestern Railway, said: “Investing in new track and the upkeep of our railways will support a better travel experience, providing passengers with more efficient journeys on our services in the future.

“As a result of these works, I urge passengers to check their journeys between 22- 30 October as the major upgrades will result in either longer journey times, bus replacements or alterations to services along the Trent Valley line.”

Passengers can plan ahead and check before they travel with their train operator or visit www.networkrail.co.uk/wcml for more information.