Media centre

Thursday 19 Jan 2017

Passengers urged to check before travelling ahead of Euston and Willesden improvement works

Region & Route:

| North West & Central

Train passengers were today urged to plan their journeys and check before they travel ahead of essential railway improvements in London over four Sundays from the end of January.

The work, outside Euston station and at Willesden Junction, in Harlesden, northwest London, is part of Britain’s Railway Upgrade Plan.

As a result of this activity, on the four Sundays - 29 January, 5, 12 and 19 February - there will be fewer trains in and out of Euston.

Martin Frobisher, managing director for Network Rail’s London North Western route, said: “The purpose of our must-do work by our orange army engineers is to improve railway services for customers both now and in future.  We are determined to keep all passengers moving on the West Coast main line throughout these four Sundays. By planning your journey in advance and checking before you travel, we can make that happen.”             

Customers requiring mobility assistance are advised to book that help with their train operators. All customers are urged to check on www.nationalrail.co.uk for the very latest travel information. Further detail on these works can be found at www.nationalrail.co.uk/eustonworks

London Midland’s head of West Coast Services, Steve Helfet, said: “We have a significant number of people who commute with us on Sundays, particularly from the retail and service sectors. The timetable will be different but we will be moving just as many people over these weekends. So make sure you know your train options and allow more time for your journey as you might be arriving or departing at a different time than usual.” 

Phil Bearpark, Executive Director, Operations and Projects, for Virgin Trains, said: “'We know upgrade works can impact people's travel plans. That's why we've worked closely with Network Rail and HS2 Ltd to minimise disruption whilst this work is carried out. We do encourage anyone who is planning on travelling with us on these four Sunday's to book in advance where possible and check the National Rail website when planning their journey.”

Network Rail is working closely with Camden Council to ensure noise is kept to a minimum for residents living near Euston station.                                      

At Euston, Network Rail engineers will be removing overhead line equipment to make space for HS2 Ltd to demolish a redundant freight train shed when, once Royal Assent is granted, they begin constructing their new high-speed railway as planned later in 2017. This work is taking place on 5 and 12 February.

At Willesden, on the following Sundays -  29 January, 5 February, 12 February and 19 February, Network Rail engineers are carrying out vital track improvements to ensure more reliable and punctual train services for customers in the future.

ENDS

Notes to editors

An advertising campaign was launched on 3 January to let people know about the changes: adverts have appeared digitally, at train stations and on local commercial radio stations in areas serving the west coast mainline.

In addition, local residents and businesses in north-west London have been made aware of the improvement works. Unnecessary disruption for local residents will be minimised, for instance by providing noise barriers where appropriate.