Network Rail is advising passengers to plan ahead for their essential journeys as vital repair and maintenance work will be carried out during Easter 2021.

In order to keep track, stations and other infrastructure in good working condition for passengers, Network Rail plans to undertake 600 projects.

Some of the bigger projects going ahead over Easter are:

West Coast Mainline 

1. London Euston Station – multiple projects
2. Euston to Milton Keynes – Track Renewal
3. Rugby to Birmingham – Track Renewal
4. Crewe to Wigan – Track Renewal
5. Preston to Penrith – Track Renewal
6. Greater Manchester, Preston and Warrington – Signal Replacement

London King’s Cross 

1. Changing Track Layout and overhead line maintenance

Liverpool Street Station 

1. Changes to Track Layout ready for the introduction of Elizabeth Line services – no services between Liverpool Street and Shenfield
2. Trains to Norwich, Ipswich and Clacton-on-Sea will terminate at Ingatestone over the Easter weekend

Charing Cross and London Bridge/New Cross

1. Maintenance – all Southeastern services will start/terminate from Cannon Street

Kingston, Richmond and Twickenham

1. Renewing life expired signally equipment – Buses will replace trains between Barnes and Feltham and New Malden and Shepperton.

West Hampstead and Mill Hill Broadway

1. Track Renewal and Layout changes – part of the new Brent Cross Station, reduced services from Thameslink and East Midlands Railway

Network Rail Chief Executive Andrew Haines said: “Over the past year we have continued to invest billions of pounds in our railway to make sure we can play our part in a sustainable recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. This significant investment will continue over the Easter bank holiday weekend, with thousands of frontline workers out delivering vital upgrades to the network.”

“While the majority of routes are unaffected, anybody who needs to travel by train over Easter should check their journey in advance.”

Rail Minister Chris Heaton-Harris said: “From vital works on the new HS2 terminus, remodelling work at Kings Cross and replacing signalling equipment from the 1970s, we are investing billions to upgrade our railways for when passengers return.”

“By undertaking projects of this magnitude now we are making the most of our railways being quieter. I urge passengers to minimise travel over the Easter weekend, but for those that need to, remember to plan ahead and avoid the busiest routes.”

Passengers can find out how their Easter journeys will be affected with their train operator, via National Rail Enquiries, or by following #EasterRailWorks on Twitter.

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