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Friday 11 Jul 2025

Multi-million-pound rail upgrades in Staffordshire to improve safety and journey reliability

Region & Route:

North West & Central

Passengers and residents in Stone, Staffordshire, are being advised about a £7m+ package of railway upgrades to improve safety, performance and long-term reliability on the West Coast Main Line.

The work, which has been planned during the summer school holidays, includes refurbishing the River Trent Viaduct, replacing track at Stone station and the renewal of three level crossings in the area.

Local people in Stone are invited to find out more about the level crossing upgrades, which will mean temporary road closures at:

• Meaford level crossing from 21:00 on Sunday 10 August until 18:00 on Tuesday 12 August.
• Church Lane level crossing from 13:00 on Tuesday 12 August until 12:00 on Thursday 14 August. During this time, residents will still be able to cross on foot, but vehicles will not be able to use the crossing.
• Aston-by-Stone level crossing from 7:00 on Thursday 14 August until 8:00 on Saturday 16 August.

Network Rail staff will be available to answer questions about the major improvements during an information event at Stone Station Community Centre from 16:00 - 18:00 on Wednesday 16 July.

Meanwhile, further north, between 2 August and the morning of 23 August 2025, there will be no trains through Stockport while Network Rail replaces the bridge that takes the Greek Street roundabout over the West Coast Main Line.

Passengers travelling between Colwich and Manchester Piccadilly stations in August* are being urged to plan ahead with work at Stone and ongoing improvements at Stockport meaning changes to journeys. 

Some services will be diverted, while others will be replaced with buses. Anyone planning to travel during these dates are advised to check before they travel at www.nationalrail.co.uk. 

Zayn Sattar, scheme project manager for Network Rail, said: “This major programme of investment into the West Coast Main Line will help us deliver a safer, more reliable railway for passengers and our communities. By tackling structural issues, renewing track and upgrading level crossings, we’re protecting the future of the railway and reducing the risk of disruption.

"We've written to local people in Stone about the work and are asking passengers to check before they travel this August. I'd like to thank everyone for their patience while we carry out these vital upgrades.”

These upgrades are essential to keep the railway safe and reliable and will help prevent future speed restrictions and unplanned disruption for passengers and freight.

Multiple schemes have been planned at the same time during August to reduce the need for future closures to the railway, minimising disruption to passengers and local people.

Passengers are advised to check their journeys before they travel on the National Rail Enquiries website.