Essential travel only on West Coast main line this Easter

Passengers were today reminded to continue to only use public transport for essential journeys over Easter.

Between 10-13 April Network Rail is carrying essential upgrades to improve journeys on the West Coast main line for passengers and freight.

This includes a major junction being replaced at Euxton near Chorley, track renewal work in Wolverhampton and preparation work for the removal of a railway flyover at Bletchley.

The essential upgrades have been carefully planned to ensure vital freight can keep moving around the country and people who cannot work from home can still get to their jobs.

To help halt the spread of coronavirus, people are advised not to travel by train and, in line with Government advice, to stay at home, help protect the NHS and help save lives.

Those passengers who must make essential rail journeys over Easter are being advised to check www.nationalrail.co.uk ahead of the engineering work.

Tim Shoveller, managing director for Network Rail’s North West & Central region, said: ‘The schemes we are doing this Easter weekend are all must-do work. We have planned it so as to minimise disruption to freight and essential journeys. It will help to ensure the railway is at its best when Britain emerges from this coronavirus pandemic.

‘Our mission-critical frontline colleagues, including railway upgrade engineers, signallers, maintenance, control room and operations staff, are Britain’s hidden heroes, helping to keep Britain connected in this time of need. And I’m proud of them.’

To prioritise freight and essential journeys, a reduced timetable is already running on the railway network.

Government guidelines are advising the public to only travel if absolutely essential.

People making such journeys should visit www.nationalrail.co.uk for the latest information.​