Monday 24 Aug 2026
CrossCountry passengers reminded to plan ahead for August bank holiday rail travel in Birmingham
- Region & Route:
- North West & Central
- | North West & Central: Central
Passengers travelling by rail over the August bank holiday weekend are being reminded to check before they travel as major HS2 construction work in Birmingham will affect CrossCountry services.
From Saturday 29 August to Monday 31 August 2026, engineering work to install part of the new Saltley Viaduct will mean changes to rail services between Birmingham New Street, Derby and Nuneaton. Some CrossCountry journeys will take longer than usual, with rail replacement buses operating between Birmingham New Street, Water Orton and Coleshill Parkway.
The work forms part of HS2's programme to rebuild Saltley Viaduct, creating the space needed for the future high-speed railway while also improving facilities for pedestrians and cyclists.
Services affected include routes between:
- Birmingham New Street and Leicester, Peterborough, Cambridge and Stansted Airport.
- Cardiff Central and Nottingham via Birmingham New Street.
- Birmingham New Street and destinations across the North East, Scotland and the South West.
Passengers are advised to allow extra time for their journeys and check the latest travel information before setting off.
Patrick Cawley, Director of On Network Works for Network Rail and HS2, said: "We're reminding passengers planning to travel this bank holiday weekend to check before they travel and allow extra time for their journeys.
"HS2 teams will be carrying out another important stage in the replacement of Saltley Viaduct, helping make way for Britain's new high-speed railway into Birmingham. We'd like to thank passengers for their patience while this work takes place."
Mark Anderson, CrossCountry’s Customer & Commercial Director, said: "We’re sorry for this disruption to journeys over the August bank holiday weekend while this essential HS2 work takes place.
"From Saturday 29 until Monday 31 August, journeys between Birmingham New Street and destinations including Leicester, Nottingham, Peterborough, Cambridge, Stansted Airport, the North East and Scotland will take longer, with rail replacement buses operating between Birmingham New Street, Water Orton and Coleshill Parkway.
"We encourage customers to check their journey before travelling and allow extra time to complete their trip. We’d like to thank all those travelling for their patience and understanding while this important work is carried out."
Passengers can find the latest travel information and plan their journeys at www.nationalrail.co.uk.
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