Media centre

Tuesday 29 Dec 2020

Key rail upgrades completed between Euston, the Midlands and North West this Christmas

Region & Route:

North West & Central

Network Rail has completed a range of essential upgrades to the railway between Euston, the Midlands and the North West over Christmas.

From Thursday 24 until Sunday 27 December, teams carried out vital work on the railway which will improve both passenger and freight services on the West Coast main line – the Backbone of Britain.

The multi-million-pound investment as part of Britain’s Railway Upgrade Plan saw:

• ongoing work to upgrade Birmingham New Street station's signals – the complex system and traffic lights of the railway which keep trains running safely
• work to improve the overhead lines which power trains near Watford, Liverpool and Crewe.
• a bridge rebuilding project in Stafford
• track upgrades in Euston, Aylesbury, Preston and Manchester

Tim Shoveller, managing director for Network Rail’s North West & Central region, said: “The schemes we have undertaken this Christmas were all critical pieces of work to make the railway better for the future.

“I’m very proud of our frontline workers who have continued to work tirelessly throughout the pandemic to maintain and upgrade the railway for those who need it. This festive period has been no different, with hundreds of workers out delivering significant improvements, sometimes in very challenging weather conditions, across the North West and Central region.”

Meanwhile, travellers are reminded they must continue to follow government guidance to control the spread of coronavirus.

For more information visit www.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19-safer-travel-guidance-for-passengers

Please check www.nationalrail.co.uk for the latest travel information.