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Passengers are being advised to avoid the West Coast main line and to check before they travel over the Christmas period as Network Rail continues its programme of investment and improvements.

Work to rebuild the Broughton Road bridge in Salford - part of a £1bn investment to improve the railway in the north of England - will cease over the festive period to allow for the road to temporarily reopen.

Work to improve the rail network between Barnt Green and Bromsgrove will increase over the coming weeks and months as part of a £100m investment to provide a better railway.

Passengers are being urged to check for changes to their journey if they are planning to travel between Hereford and Shrewsbury stations over Christmas. This section of the line is being closed for improvement works as Network Rail invests in the railway to deliver better services.

The bridge over the railway at School Hill Road in Brinkworth reopened to the public yesterday, Tuesday 16 December, after work to prepare it for electrification was completed on time.

Network Rail is hoping that the reopening of a bridge near to the centre of Swindon will help ease traffic congestion over the festive period.

With a good Christmas vital to football teams’ chances of glory – or avoiding the drop - Network Rail is urging fans to plan their journeys over the festive period as the rebuilding of London Bridge railway station gains pace.

Network Rail and London Midland have confirmed that the new £20 million station will open no later than Monday 12 January.