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A record-breaking programme of upgrades to Britain’s rail network was successfully completed over the Christmas and New Year period, providing new tracks, new and longer platforms, new lifts and footbridges at stations, upgraded signalling equipment and electrification equipment to allow cleaner, faster electric trains to run.

A major upgrade of the railway at Manchester Victoria over the Christmas and New Year holiday has been completed, with rail services resuming as planned on Thursday morning.

The railway between London and Brighton has been significantly upgraded over Christmas and the New Year thanks to an £80m package of improvements completed by Network Rail.

Network Rail’s routes through Sussex are recovering from damage caused by the recent storms.

Rail passengers travelling through Peterborough will have a more reliable journey from today after Network Rail engineers completed three days of intensive work at Christmas.

The railway line between Harlech and Pwllheli will remain closed until the new bridge over the River Dwyryd opens in Spring 2014

Passengers planning to travel by rail on Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 December are being advised to check with their train operator before travelling, as gale-force winds and heavy rain will mean changes to some scheduled services.

Network Rail has completed a project to refurbish historic Hellifield station in the Yorkshire Dales.