• £14.5m package of work carried out at 21 different locations to prepare tracks, infrastructure and stations for new railway that will be known as the Elizabeth line
• Network Rail works around the clock as part of huge programme of works
• A selection of images of the early May bank holiday works is available to download from the image library

Britain’s commuters returned to work today on a better, more reliable railway thanks to the efforts of Network Rail’s orange army, who worked round-the-clock to improve the network over the bank holiday weekend.

The roll out of a new set of minimum standards for all organisations working with Network Rail and representing it on the railway has been announced today.  The new ‘code of conduct’ has been launched to ensure that the 250,000 people who are working towards delivering the Railway Upgrade Plan on Britain’s railway infrastructure meet minimum standards on safety, and treat customers and communities with politeness and respect.

• Cross-organisation board to be established to help Network Rail release surplus land for new homes and raise capital to fund rail investment
• The search has started for experienced property non-executive directors to join the board

• New signalling system and upgraded power supplies being installed on the railway west of London
• Rail upgrade is a crucial part of preparation for Elizabeth line services

With over 96% of the railway network unaffected by Network Rail planned improvement work, this coming bank holiday will be one of the least disruptive bank holidays for railway travel for many years.

With over 96% of the railway network unaffected by Network Rail planned improvement work, this coming bank holiday will be one of the least disruptive bank holidays for railway travel for many years.

Editor's note: Don’t worry, catapostrophe averted. It was an April fool. A spokesperson for Network Rail said: “Long live the… apostrophe!”.