West Coast Main Line closures to enable key HS2 work

Approach lines into London Euston will be closed for a combined 13-week period next year, as work begins on creating space for HS2 Phase 1.

Two lines into the West Coast Main Line terminus will be out of use from April 2-May 17 and July 17-August 31, to enable preparatory work to start.

Network Rail called it one of the most complex infrastructure changes to ever take place at Euston and said that WCML operators were working to develop a dedicated timetable for the period. This is expected to reflect potential and ongoing changes to demand due to COVID. Platform and service alterations will be required.

When the redeveloped station opens, it will have 11 400-metre platforms, a new concourse, and improved connections to Euston and Euston Square London Underground stations.

It’s planned that HS2 will more than double the number of peaktime seats from the station when the new railway begins serving it (expected to be from 2031 at the earliest).

Upgrade work on the WCML has also been scheduled to take place over Bank Holiday weekends next year, to coincide with the work taking place at Euston.

“Our work will make the West Coast Main Line more reliable for our passengers and pave the way for HS2,” said NR West Coast South Route Director James Dean.

Patrick Cawley, Director of On Network Works for HS2 Ltd and NR, added: “Investing in HS2 will create additional rail capacity across the existing UK network, providing more local, regional and inter-city services.

“Although some disruption to the current rail service is unavoidable in the short term, in preparation for this we have completed other service upgrades to minimise impact, such as increasing platform lengths at busy stations on the

West Coast Main Line.”

The additional Bank Holiday weekend work will take place on April 2-5, May 1-3/29-31 and August 28-30, and will include track renewals between Rugby and Birmingham, Crewe-Warrington, Preston-Lancaster and CarstairsCarlisle.