Train services between Uttoxeter and Stoke-on-Trent will be suspended between Sunday, 5th and Sunday, 12th March whilst Network Rail carries out a £2 million project to upgrade railway tracks through Meir railway tunnel.

Meir tunnel, which is between Longton and Blythe Bridge stations, was originally constructed in 1848 by the North Staffordshire Railway and runs parallel to the A50 and a busy road tunnel of the same name. The tracks through the tunnel haven’t received any major work since 1968.

This project will replace almost 1.6 kilometres of rail and supporting ballast and sleepers along both tracks through the tunnel, which will help ensure the reliability of trains between Uttoxeter and Stoke-on-Trent for the next 50 years.

During the closure, buses will replace trains between Uttoxeter and Stoke-on-Trent, but passengers should plan ahead and check before they travel with National Rail or East Midlands Railway. Normal services will resume on Monday, 13th March.

Steve Hopkinson, East Midlands Operations Director for Network Rail said: “This tunnel holds so much history and is a vital part of the railway in Staffordshire, and these upgrades will make sure that passengers can continue to travel through it reliably well into the future.

“To do the work safely, we inevitably need to close the tunnel so there will be some changes to services and I’m sorry if this impacts people’s plans. Our best advice is to allow some extra time and to check your journey before setting off.”

Neil Grabham, Customer Services Director for EMR said: “Between Sunday 5 and Sunday 12 March we will be running a replacement rail service between Uttoxeter and Stoke-on-Trent.

“We are asking customers to plan ahead and allow plenty of time to carry out their journeys and we would like to thank them for their patience whilst Network Rail carry out work along the tracks.”

Claire Sandys, Community Rail Officer for the North Staffordshire Community Rail Partnership, said: “We are pleased to see upgrade works take place at this critical point on the Crewe to Derby route where passengers rely on a quick and punctual service for work, leisure and education purposes.”