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Monday 6 Jul 2026

Weekend service changes as £5m rail upgrade gets under way

Region & Route:

Eastern

| Eastern: East Midlands

Railway improvement work in Derbyshire and Staffordshire will affect passenger services over the next two weekends, with some journeys requiring a replacement bus.

Network Rail will be working at several sites to renew more than 1km of track, more than half a kilometre of drainage and upgrade signalling at a level crossing. In total, the work represents an investment of £5.1 million in the railway.

Passengers travelling between Derby and Uttoxeter/Crewe/Tamworth on Saturday 11, Sunday 12, Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 July are advised to check before they travel and allow more time for journeys.

The rail improvement work being carried out includes:

• Renewing more than 620 metres of track at Wichnor Viaduct, Staffordshire, and almost 550 metres at Burton-on-Trent for smoother, more reliable journeys
• Installing, testing and commissioning new signalling at Clay Mills level crossing to improve the reliability and performance of services, helping to reduce delays
• Refurbishing 574 metres of drainage at Weston-on-Trent to prevent flooding, protect the railway and support safer, more reliable passenger journeys.

The work means that, for East Midlands Railway:

• On Saturday 11 and Saturday 18 July, rail replacement buses will run between Derby and Crewe. Additionally, the 05.50 Nottingham to Crewe service will not run. A rail replacement bus will run from Nottingham to Crewe.
• On Sunday 12 and Sunday 19 July, rail replacement buses will run between Derby and Uttoxeter. Additionally, the 21.22 Crewe to Derby service will not run. A rail replacement bus will run from Crewe to Derby.
• Some Intercity Sheffield to London St Pancras services on Saturday 11 and Saturday 18 July will run three minutes earlier than usual between Sheffield and Derby.

And arrangements for CrossCountry over both weekends are:

• Nottingham to Cardiff Central services on Saturday 11 July will start and terminate at Tamworth, instead of Nottingham. For the remaining dates, trains will start and terminate at Birmingham New Street instead of Nottingham.
• Services to and from North East England and Scotland will be diverted on a longer route, and will not call at Burton-on-Trent or Tamworth.
• Replacement buses will operate between Derby and Tamworth.

Dan Matthews, Network Rail operations director, said:

“While this essential work means some changes to services over the next two weekends, these upgrades will help deliver a stronger railway for passengers and freight operators.

“We’re renewing track, improving drainage and upgrading signalling to reduce delays, improve resilience and support smoother, more reliable journeys for years to come.

“We’d like to apologise for any inconvenience, thank passengers for their patience while this work takes place and encourage anyone travelling through the area to check their journey before setting off.”

A spokesperson for East Midlands Railway and CrossCountry said:

“While this important work is taking place, some services will be amended and rail replacement buses will operate on parts of the route. We’re working closely with Network Rail to keep customers moving and minimise disruption wherever possible.

“We’d encourage customers to plan ahead, check their journey before travelling and allow extra time where replacement bus services are in operation. We thank everyone for their patience while these improvements are carried out.”

Check your journey with your train operator or National Rail before travelling.