Network Rail is warning passengers of disruption over the Christmas period as a £200m project in Cheshire approaches completion.

An investment of £200m has been made to upgrade the Crewe Basford Hall lines on the West Coast Main Line.

These railway lines take freight trains around Crewe station and back on to the West Coast Main Line, freeing up capacity at the busy station.

The infrastructure has been upgraded, including drainage and track work, along with a full resignal of the area.

The work has taken place over 2 years and has seen 65 new signals installed as well as new track equipment.

The upgrade also sees the closure of three signal boxes (Salop Goods, Crewe Sorting Sidings North and Basford Hall), as signalling moves to Manchester ROC.

The final pieces of work will be completed over Christmas that Network Rail says will see significant railway closures between 24th December and 2nd January 2025.

Network Rail says that the project will be completed in January 2025.

On the 27th December, no trains will run to or from Crewe station with a reduced service on the 28th December.

From the 27th December, there are bus services being provided between Crewe and Sandbach/Shrewsbury/Stafford/Chester/Liverpool South Parkway/Stockport/Stoke. After that there are various changes until 2 January. Passengers are advised to check their specific journeys.

Meanwhile, at Christmas, work will take place to improve the signalling system in South Manchester and start preparation work on a bridge in Stockport ahead of its replacement next year.

“While this major work takes place, there’ll be changes to all services in and around the Crewe area. On Friday 27 December, no trains will run to or from Crewe, but replacement buses will connect customers to nearby stations. From Saturday 28 December to Thursday 2 January, we’ll be operating an amended timetable with a reduced service to Manchester and no direct trains to Liverpool on Wednesday 1 and Thursday 2 January.

“Anyone travelling on these dates is strongly advised to plan their journey, make a reservation, and check with their train operator as well as the National Rail website for the latest updates.”

Taryn Banks, Avanti West Coast station manager at Crewe