Media centre

Tuesday 20 Jan 2026

Next phase of upgrades announced in long-term programme to strengthen Britain’s busiest railway

Region & Route:

North West & Central

Passengers are set to benefit from a major programme of essential upgrades to the West Coast Main Line – the railway that connects London, the Midlands, the North West and Scotland.

Today, Network Rail is unveiling the next step in its plans to overhaul Britain’s busiest mixed-use railway for the first time in more than 50 years.

The line carries almost 2,000 passenger trains and 15,000 tonnes of goods every day, but much of its infrastructure is struggling to meet modern demand. With passenger numbers expected to double by 2050, this work is about making sure the railway can keep pace with the future.

Over the coming years, Network Rail will deliver hundreds of upgrades and renewals as part of its £400m West Coast Main Line upgrades, including: 

• Renewing overhead line equipment, track and signalling systems between Warrington and the Scottish border 
• Renewing track across the approach into Manchester Piccadilly 
• Renewing overhead line equipment through Birmingham New Street 
• Renewing track and overhead line equipment between Milton Keynes and London Euston 

This is the start of a long-term programme to make journeys more reliable and resilient along the vital rail corridor. The benefits will build gradually, but every upgrade is a step towards:

• Fewer delays and smoother journeys
• Stronger links between towns, cities and communities 
• A railway that can better cope with extreme weather and climate change 
• More goods moved by rail, reducing lorry traffic and carbon emissions 
• More jobs and investment that support local economies 

Julien Dehornoy, North West & Central Deputy Regional Managing Director at Network Rail, said: “This is about securing the future of one of Britain’s most vital railway lines. The improvements will take time, but by investing now we’re laying the foundations for a more reliable, resilient railway that communities and businesses can depend on for decades to come. 

“Each project is being carefully planned with train operator colleagues to keep passengers moving during the vital work. We’re committed to ensuring passengers know well in advance any changes to their usual journey so they can plan.” 

This announcement follows the successful delivery of improvements to the West Coast Main Line this Christmas period with huge projects like the Clifton bridge renewal, which reopened the M6 half a day earlier than planned and kept passengers moving via the Settle to Carlisle line.

To plan rail journeys in advance please use www.nationalrail.co.uk for the latest travel information.