Rail passengers thanked after Lancashire’s week-long power line renewals

Tuesday 21 Apr 2026

Rail passengers thanked after Lancashire’s week-long power line renewals

Region & Route:: North West & Central; | North West & Central: North West

West Coast Main Line passengers are being thanked for their patience after improvements to the overhead power systems for trains this April.

Network Rail and its supply chain partners have replaced over 50 kilometres of overhead lines between Preston, Lancaster and Fylde as part of a wider £400m programme of investment in Lancashire and across the UK's busiest mixed-use railway line.

Between Saturday 11 and Sunday 19 April it saw changes to journeys for passengers on the West Coast Main Line north.

It also saw signalling systems improved between Carlisle and the Scottish border.

Today (Monday 20 April), passengers affected by the essential upgrades are being thanked for their patience.

Paul Danks, Network Rail senior programme manager, said: “Upgrading the overhead power systems for trains is vital to keep passenger and freight services running smoothly, and replacing 50kms over an extended railway closure will mean more reliable journeys in future.

“We know there’s never a good time to close the railway, so we thank those who’ve been impacted by these essential upgrades in Lancashire and Cumbria. It’s all part of our ongoing investment into the West Coast Main Line over the next several years.”

Meanwhile, passengers are being reminded to plan journeys in advance of upcoming work in less than a fortnight over the early May bank holiday* from 2-4 May.

In the North West that will see Liverpool Lime Street station completely closed on the Sunday and Monday morning for essential upgrades to signalling systems in the Edge Hill area, and more overhead line renewals will take place between Warrington and Preston.

Further south, a reduced timetable will be in place for those travelling to Euston while track improvements take place in North West London.

Passengers are encouraged to check www.nationalrail.co.uk for the latest travel information so they know exactly what to expect from their journey.

Later in May and into June there will also be further journey-improving railway upgrades on the West Coast Main Line** which will impact on journeys. To find out more about this work you can visit: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/our-work/our-regions/north-west-and-central/west-coast-main-line-upgrades/

Notes to Editors

Upcoming work in May and June

*Early May bank holiday (Saturday 2 to Monday 4 May)

In the south, track renewal work near Willesden South will mean a reduced service in and out of London Euston. Track renewal work near Primrose Hill station will mean there will be no London Overground services between Euston and Kilburn High Road during this time. In the north, overhead line equipment renewals will take place between Warrington and Preston on Sunday 3 May. Avanti West Coast services will divert via Manchester. Rail replacement bus services will run between Crewe and Wigan, calling at Warrington. Liverpool Lime Street is also closed on Sunday 3 May and until 11am Monday 4 May while new signalling equipment is installed around Edge Hill.

**Saturday 9 to Sunday 10 May
HS2 work outside London Euston, in preparation for Britain's new high-speed railway, will mean a reduced service in and out of the station across both days.

Sunday 17 May (until 7pm)
Maintenance work taking place between Milton Keynes and Rugby means that there will be a rail replacement service between Milton Keynes Central and Rugby via Northampton. Train services running between Euston and Birmingham New Street will be diverted and will not stop at Northampton or Long Buckby.

Late May bank holiday (Saturday 23 to Monday 25 May)
Overhead line equipment renewals will take place between Warrington and Preston on Sunday 24 May. Avanti West Coast services will divert via Manchester. Rail replacement bus services will run between Crewe and Wigan, calling at Warrington.

Saturday 30 to Sunday 31 May
In the south, drainage improvements near Milton Keynes and HS2 work taking place outside London Euston station, will mean a reduced service.
In the north, overhead line equipment and track renewals will take place between Warrington and Preston. Avanti West Coast services will divert via Manchester. Rail replacement bus services will run between Crewe and Wigan, calling at Warrington.

Saturday 6 to Sunday 7 June
Track renewals near Wigan and overhead line equipment renewals between Warrington and Preston will take place across the weekend. Avanti West Coast services will divert via Manchester. Rail replacement bus services will run between Crewe and Wigan, calling at Warrington.

Contact information

Passengers / community members
Network Rail national helpline
03457 11 41 41

Latest travel advice
Please visit National Rail Enquiries

Journalists
Network Rail press office - North West & Central Region
0330 854 0100
NWCmediarelations@networkrail.co.uk

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