Network Rail prepares for £100 million Easter engineering upgrades

Network Rail is gearing up for a series of infrastructure upgrades over the Easter period which it says will cost more than £100 million.

On the West Coast Main Line, early HS2 works at London Euston will take place, along with major track renewals between Euston and Milton Keynes, Rugby and Birmingham, Crewe to Wigan, and Preston to Penrith. Signalling equipment will be replaced in Greater Manchester, Preston and Warrington.

The extensive King’s Cross remodelling continues, with track layout changes and overhead line maintenance and remodelling works planned. OLE will be upgraded at Stratford, and at Liverpool Street tracks will be realigned to prepare for the introduction of Crossrail services.

Elsewhere in London, between Charing Cross and London Bridge/ New Cross, maintenance and structure works will mean all Southeastern services will start and terminate at Cannon Street.

In the Kingston, Richmond and Twickenham areas, 1970s signalling equipment will be replaced, while track renewals and remodelling works between West

Hampstead and Mill Hill Broadway will enable one of the platforms for the new Brent Cross station to be built.

Rail Minister Chris Heaton-Harris said: “From vital works on the new HS2 terminus, remodelling work at King’s Cross, and replacing signalling equipment from the 1970s, we are investing billions to upgrade our railways for when passengers return.

“By undertaking projects of this magnitude now we are making the most of our railways being quieter. I urge passengers to minimise travel over the Easter weekend.

But for those that need to, remember to plan ahead and avoid the busiest routes.”

Transport Focus Chief Executive Anthony Smith added: “Passengers who need to travel over the Easter weekend should check their journey in advance.

“Operators need to make it clear which services are affected by engineering works and how. It’s also important that they continue to reassure passengers that it’s safe to travel if they need to do so. This includes providing accurate information on capacity and how busy services are expected to be.”