Easter bank holiday travel advice for North West rail passengers

Rail passengers travelling in the North West this Easter are being reminded to check before they travel while major railway upgrades take place to improve future journeys between 29 March and 1 April.

£13.4 million is being invested across Network Rail's North West & Central region, including a catalogue of upgrades to tracks, bridges and essential railway equipment on the North West route.

The work includes:

Improving the track, drainage and overhead line equipment between Acton Bridge and Euxton Balshaw Lane, via Warrington.
Continuing the Wigan to Bolton electrification project.
Improving the track and strengthening bridges between Morecambe and Carnforth.
Upgrading the station platform canopies at Lancaster station.
Passengers are also being advised to travel either side of the Easter bank holiday for journeys to London Euston.

Network Rail is investing £7m to upgrade over a kilometre of track near Euston station which will mean more reliable journeys for passengers travelling in and out of the major London station.

Apart from London Overground services, there will be no trains in or out of Euston station between Friday 29 March and Monday 1 April 2024.

Phil James, Network Rail’s North West route director, said: “We know there’s never an ideal time to close the railway. The four-day Easter bank holiday remains the least disruptive time for carrying out complex upgrades to make the railway safe and reliable for passengers and freight in the future.

“I’d advise people to please plan ahead and check National Rail Enquiries. There will be longer journeys with rail replacement buses from Good Friday to Easter Monday on some routes.”
Passengers should plan ahead at www.nationalrail.co.uk  or check with their train operator for the latest journey information. People can follow the progress of improvement work using the #EasterRailWorks hashtag on X (formally) Twitter.