Network Rail is advising passengers of changes to journeys during the 9-day period of upgrade work taking place over the October half term.

The upgrade work will take place between Saturday the 22nd and Sunday the 30th of October and will see Network Rail replace 1,000 metres of track in Nuneaton alongside the installation of brand-new signalling equipment at Stafford.

The upgrade work comes as part of a huge £58 million investment which aims to improve journeys into the future for this vital part of the West Coast mainline.

In order for the work to be carried out safely and efficiently, the railway will see a nine-day closure starting on the 22nd of October and coinciding with the school’s autumn half term.

Network Rail is advising anybody travelling during that time that journeys will take longer than usual and may see rail replacement buses put in place alongside timetable alternations. Passengers are being advised to plan their travel ahead via http://www.nationalrail.co.uk.

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.”

Taking place from Saturday the 22nd to Sunday the 30th of October the upgrade work will affect the following rail operator’s services:

• Avanti West Coast: Will see an amended timetable and diversions which will lead to extended journey times for passengers travelling to and from London Euston.
• London Northwestern Railway: Crewe to London Euston services will operate between Rugby and London Euston only. Rail replacement buses will replace trains between Rugby and Stafford. Passengers are advised to use alternative services between Stafford and Crewe.
• West Midlands Railway: Rail replacement 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 on Sundays from the 2nd of October through to the 27th of November.

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.”

Passengers are able to plan their travel ahead and check journeys via their rail operator or by visiting www.networkrail.co.uk/wcml