UK-wide disruption due to £148m upgrade works
RAIL passengers face further chaos over Christmas and New Year due to £148million of upgrade works across Britain.
More than 330 projects are planned which will spark major changes to services between December 22 and January 3.
Most of the works will be carried out when no trains run, such as Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Passengers are advised to check timetables before travelling on other days. But the Rail Delivery Group, which represents train firms, insists there will be less disruption than last year.
An army of 25,000 workers will carry out improvements as part of the £50billion, five-year upgrade plan – the biggest railway investment since Victorian times.
National Rail says most train firms have now confirmed services for the festive period, later than the usual 12 weeks in advance. The timetabling chaos this year meant there has been as little as six weeks’ notice. Network Rail’s Andy Thomas said: “We know our railway is up to 50% quieter than usual during the festive period so taking on and delivering these huge schemes at this time of year minimises impact on passengers, who, research shows, understand the need for such activity.” Packed station