Media centre

Thursday 20 Jan 2022

Weekend Chiltern track upgrades to impact January journeys

Region & Route:

North West & Central

| North West & Central: Central

Passengers are being advised of changes to weekend journeys on the Chiltern main line later this month while Network Rail improves the railway.

Track is being upgraded between Banbury, Leamington Spa and Stratford-upon-Avon on Sunday 23 and Sunday 30 January, and on Sunday 30 January between London Marylebone and Northolt Park.

The £1million investment will mean smoother and more reliable journeys for passengers and freight on the important route between London and the West Midlands.

Trains won’t be able to run while the railway is being replaced. To keep people on the move rail replacement buses will be in operation throughout the work*.

Journeys will take longer and passengers are urged to check www.nationalrail.co.uk so they know exactly what to expect during the improvements.

Denise Wetton, Network Rail’s Central route director, said: “These major track improvements to the Chiltern main line will mean better, smoother and more reliable journeys for passengers and freight.

“Replacing track like this means we have to close sections of railway for old sections to be ripped up and replaced with new. I’d urge anyone planning to travel on Sunday 23 or Sunday 30 January to please check National Rail Enquiries to plan their journeys. I’d also like to thank passengers in advance for their patience.”

Train services will start and end at West Ruislip, where passengers can change to London Underground services.

Trains will continue to operate:

• On Sunday 23 January, between Birmingham Moor Street and Warwick Parkway and between Banbury and London Marylebone
• On Sunday 30 January, between Birmingham Moor Street and Warwick Parkway and between Banbury and West Ruislip

Eleni Jordan, commercial & customer strategy director at Chiltern Railways, said: “The improvements being made on the Chiltern line over the next two weekends will be a huge benefit for customers. Anyone who needs to travel during these dates should check their journey via the Chiltern website or app before setting off and allow extra time to travel.”

Meanwhile, enhanced cleaning procedures will remain in place to stop the spread of coronavirus.

To find out more about what Network Rail is doing to stop the spread of Covid-19 visit: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/coronavirus/.

Passengers can check their journeys online at www.nationalrail.co.uk or with Chiltern Railways at www.journeycheck.com/chilternrailways/