‘Travel either side’ advice this Easter with Euston station closed
Passengers planning on using the West Coast main line this Easter are being advised to travel either side of the bank holiday with major improvements to track closing Euston for all but Overground services four days.
Network Rail is investing £7m to upgrade over a kilometre of track at Camden, Bourne End and Colwich Junction as well as switches and crossings (how trains change track) on the West Coast South route to improve future journeys between London and Crewe.
The main focus for engineers will be the final phase to make the rail connection to the freight terminal at Northampton, which first began last year. Freight journeys are expected to start later this year.
The multi million pound project has seen track and signalling systems installed so the freight interchange at Northampton can be operational to services from the West Coast Main Line. When in use, the 5,000 square ft depot is expected to employ up to 7,000 people and save up to 300 lorry movements on the roads every day.
During this last stage of the project all four West Coast main line tracks will need to be closed into Euston.
All trains will start and finish at Milton Keynes between Good Friday (29 March) and Easter Monday (1 April) with rail replacement bus services connecting passengers with other main lines for onward travel from Bedford into London.
From 30 March – 1 April buses will replace trains between Milton Keynes and Northampton.
With longer journey times, busier trains and rail replacement buses in operation during the railway closure, passengers are being advised that the best days to travel are Thursday 28 March and Tuesday 2 April.
To plan journeys in advance people are being urged to check www.nationalrail.co.uk.
James Dean, Network Rail’s West Coast South route director, said: “We’re returning to Northampton to complete a major connection to the West Coast Main Line which will enable up to four extra freight trains every day on this economically important freight route. This removes up to 300 lorries off the road every day and helps reduce carbon emissions. Important work to replace track is also taking place this Easter helping to improve reliability of passenger journeys.
“We know there’s never an ideal time to close the railway, so I’d like to thank people in advance for their patience ahead of this work. With Euston closed to all but Overground services for four days my best advice is, if you can, travel either side of the bank holiday – before and after the railway closure – for the smoothest journey possible. Otherwise please plan ahead by checking National Rail Enquiries for the latest travel information.”
Other essential work which will see parts of the railway in Network Rail’s North West and Central region closed over the bank holiday include:
Buses replacing trains between Great Missenden and Aylesbury throughout the four days, while HS2 engineers complete preparation work for the new 350m viaduct being built over the existing railway.
Strengthening the track and surveying the overhead wires in the Birmingham area, meaning a later start in service of 10am on Sunday 31 March for train services to and from Birmingham New Street station.
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 canopy at Lancaster station.
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 Twitter.
Contact information
Passengers / community members
Network Rail national helpline
03457 11 41 41