Media centre

Tuesday 28 Jul 2020

Next phase begins to secure moving residential street beside the West Coast main line

Region & Route:

North West & Central

| North West & Central: West Coast Mainline South

The second phase of multi-million-pound work to secure land beside the West Coast main line in Stoke-on-Trent starts next month to make journeys for passengers and freight more reliable.

The £4m Railway Upgrade Plan investment will stop a residential street from slowly edging into a railway cutting threatening the safety of the railway below.

Last year, Network Rail engineers carried out emergency repairs to West Parade in Mount Pleasant after cracks had appeared on the road surface.

Now, steel rods, known as soil nails, will be drilled into the railway bank to secure the land from further movement.

Emma Gray, scheme project manager for Network Rail, said: “We’re looking forward to going back to West Parade in Stoke-on-Trent to finish off the important work to secure the road for residents and also protect the West Coast main line for passengers.

“While we’ve planned the Railway Upgrade Plan work to keep trains running and passengers moving as much as possible, the work does require some road and railway closures. I’d urge passengers to check National Rail Enquiries before they travel, and I’d like to thank passengers and residents for their patience in advance.”

During the weekends of 12-13, 19-20 and 26-27 September, some trains will be diverted and replacement buses will be in operation between:

• Stafford – Stoke-on-Trent - Macclesfield
• Stoke-on-Trent – Macclesfield – Stockport

Passengers should check before they travel at www.nationalrail.co.uk.

To allow enough room for the work to be carried out safely, a half road closure of West Parade will be needed from 7 September until 4 December 2020.

Gus Dunster, executive director of operations at Avanti West Coast, said: “As Network Rail deliver the next phase of their Railway Upgrade Plan, there will be alterations to our weekend services to and from Stoke-on-Trent. We are working closely with Network Rail as they carry out these vital works on the West Coast main line to minimise the impact to journeys during this time and strongly recommend you make a reservation, plan your journey in advance and check before you travel.”

John Robson, regional director for CrossCountry, said: “We know weekend engineering work can be an inconvenience, and have worked closely with Network Rail to minimise the impact and complete this in the shortest time possible. We are sorry if any of our customers’ journeys are affected. However, when complete this will ensure the continued safe and reliable operation of our services on this line for many years to come.”

Network Rail has written to local people and is working closely with Stoke-on-Trent City Council to minimise the disruption to all road users and residents.

To read more about our emergency repairs to West Parade last year click here: https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/no-cracks-in-the-potteries-moving-railway-embankment-stabilised-in-stoke-on-trent