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A key new section of railway in the north west of England has reopened providing a direct link between Manchester and Burnley for the first time in over 40 years.

Network Rail is to rebuild a large section of the road bridge over Orlando Street in Bolton to ensure it remains fit for use for decades to come.

Mark Carne, Network Rail chief executive, said: “This strike is deliberately timed to cause maximum disruption to families trying to enjoy the half-term break and millions more returning to work after the bank holiday. I find it deplorable that the RMT can hold the travelling public to ransom in this way.

One of Network Rail’s fleet of ‘high output’ machines will begin to upgrade the stretch of railway between Colchester and Shenfield from next week (Monday May 18),  as a major project to improve reliability on the line between London and Norwich enters its next phase.

A major rail development near Stafford is on track after workers built a siding on the existing West Coast main line so materials can be delivered by train.

Motorists are advised that Hill Street in the city centre will be operating a one way system from Sunday 17 May to allow for essential highways work as part of the final stages of the Birmingham New Street station redevelopment.

Commenting on today's RMT ballot results, Mark Carne, Network Rail chief executive, said: "The railways are a vital public service and industrial action would have a massive impact on millions of passengers as well as freight distribution across Britain. It cannot be right that the unions can hold the country to ransom in this way.

Network Rail is urging all pedestrians, motorists and cyclists using level crossings between Marlow and Bourne End of the need to take care at level crossings, as a new timetable comes into effect on 17 and 18 May.