Network Rail will complete work to upgrade signalling on the West Coast main line between Rugeley and Colwich on Sunday 14 and from Saturday 20 until Monday 22 January.

While the work takes place, the section of the railway between Rugby and Stafford will close so that engineers can connect the new signals that have been installed in stages since 2017.

The work has involved upgrading 39 new signals and 124 axle counters (the system used to detect if a section of track is clear or unoccupied), and combining and moving Colwich and Trent Valley workstations to be based at the Rugby Rail Operating Centre. The £85million new signalling system will make services more reliable for passengers and freight.

Network Rail is reminding passengers to check before they travel and plan ahead by using the national rail website. Journeys will take longer, could involve rail replacement bus services and timetables will be different. Long-distance trains will use alternative routes through the West Midlands, and rail replacement buses will keep passengers on the move between stations.

More information about work on the West Coast main line is available here.

Detail on service provision by train operators on Sunday 14 January and between Saturday 20 to Monday 22 January:

Avanti West Coast:

• Services will divert and run to an amended timetable.
• Journey times to and from London Euston will be longer.
• Services to and from Liverpool will operate every two hours between Crewe and Liverpool only.
• Some journeys may involve a change and rail replacement bus service.

London Northwestern Railway:

• Crewe – London Euston services will run between Rugby – London Euston only.
• Buses replace trains between Rugby and Stafford and between Crewe and Stafford (via Stoke-on-Trent) calling at Alsager, Kidsgrove, Longport, Stoke-on-Trent and Stone.
• Passengers are advised to use alternative services between Stafford and Crewe.

West Midlands Railway:

• Buses replace trains between Walsall and Rugeley Trent Valley.

On Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 January, additional upgrade work taking place elsewhere on the West Coast main line will mean that some journeys may take longer and involve a change and rail replacement bus service.

Dave Penney, Network Rail passenger director for the North West and Central region, said: “These major signalling improvements on the West Coast main line will mean better, smoother and more reliable journeys for passengers and freight in the future. However, complex upgrades like these mean we have no choice but to close sections of railway for new signalling equipment to be installed and tested.

“I’d urge anyone planning to travel on 14 January or between 20-22 January to please check National Rail Enquiries to plan their journeys. I’d also like to thank passengers in advance for their patience.”

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 on 14 January and between 20 and 22 January to plan ahead and check the Avanti West Coast website before travelling.”

Jonny Wiseman, customer experience director at West Midlands Trains, said: “Investing in new signalling 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 on 14 January and between 20-22 January as the major upgrades will result in either longer journey times, bus replacements or alterations to services along the West Coast Main Line.”