The Trent Valley line will see upgrade work carried out by Network Rail from Saturday the 22nd to Sunday the 30th of October. The project will include the replacement of 1000 metres of tracks in Nuneaton and the installation of new signalling equipment at Stafford.

The upgrades will see the railway closed for a nine-day period in order to carry out the work safely. Journey times are expected to take longer than usual with some changes made to timetable and could see the use of rail replacement buses. As the work is taking place during the school half-term holidays, advice is being given to passengers to plan their travel ahead by visiting: www.nationalrail.co.uk

The work comes as a part of a £58 million project which aims to bring improvements for this vital part of the West Coast Mainline which passes through the West Midlands.

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.”

Changes due to the upgrade work from Saturday the 22nd to Sunday the 30th of October include:

• Avanti West Coast: An amended timetable and diversions will lead to longer journey times for passengers travelling to and from London Euston.
• London Northwestern Railway: Crewe to London Euston services will run between Rugby to London Euston only. Buses will replace trains between Rugby and Stafford. Passengers are advised to use alternative services between Stafford and Crewe.
• West Midlands Railway: Buses will replace trains between Hednesford and Rugeley Trent Valley, as well as between Bermuda Park and Nuneaton
• Further changes to services will also take place every Sunday until the 27th of November 2022.

Barry Milsom, executive director of operations and safety at Avanti West Coast, said: “While Network Rail carry out these major works, we’ll be operating an amended timetable and journeys to and from London Euston will take longer. We strongly advise customers making journeys between 22 and 30 October to plan ahead and check the Avanti West Coast website before travelling.”

Jonny Wiseman, customer experience director at West Midlands 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.”

Customers are able to find further information, plan their travel or check travel plans before making a journey via their rail operator or by visiting: http://www.networkrail.co.uk/wcml