The £46m project work to replace the entire overhead wiring system and structures on the railway between Southend Victoria and Shenfield is expected to finish sooner than originally planned, as Greater Anglia and Network Rail respond to customer feedback.

Plans for the East West Rail project will take a major step forward with the start of a public inquiry in Milton Keynes this week.

A railway bridge over the Leeds & Liverpool Canal in Bootle will be replaced next month while the Southport line is closed for platform upgrades.

Swansea residents are invited to a drop-in event to find out more about upcoming upgrade work to the signalling system on the railway between Port Talbot and Swansea, as part of Network Rail’s Railway Upgrade Plan for Wales and Borders.

Motorists are being reminded that a project to refurbish three historic railway bridges in Manchester city centre ramps up this week.

Network Rail has made a planning submission to Teignbridge District Council to improve the long-term resilience of the railway linking Devon and Cornwall to the rest of the UK.

Passengers planning to use Sunday rail services on the Cambrian line in February and March are urged to check before they travel ahead of track renewal work between Newtown and Pwllhelli and Aberystwyth.

Network Rail is advising passengers travelling on the Midland Main Line on the weekend of 16/17 and 23/24 February to check before they travel as work takes place at Market Harborough railway station.