• Coordinated industry contingency plan will see around 20% of services running and some parts of the country with no rail services
• Special timetables for 18 and 20 August are due to be published on 14 and 16 August, but it is likely that trains will start later and finish much earlier than usual, between 7.30am and 6.30pm
• Passengers are asked to plan ahead, check before they travel, to expect disruption and to only travel by rail if absolutely necessary

Network Rail has said sorry to Brentford fans ahead of four days of engineering work that clash with the club’s match against Manchester United.

A major investment to protect the railway from erosion by the River Tyne and allow a popular footpath to reopen will get underway this month.

In another stride towards a greener, more sustainable railway for Britain, Network Rail has signed an agreement with EDF Renewables UK which will see enough solar energy to power 20,000 homes used in offices, depots and railway stations across the country.

In an industry first, Network Rail’s Eastern region has been granted a special licence to safely relocate the UK’s largest native newt species, protecting them from vital engineering work.

Passengers at Bristol Temple Meads will benefit from more toilets after a bathroom last seen in the 1990s was rediscovered, given a huge refurbishment and now reopened.

The first request-stop kiosk on the Far North Line will go on trial at Scotscalder station from Monday 15 August.

Ebbw Vale Line passengers to benefit from improved rail journeys as Network Rail prepares for major upgrades at two stations