01.09.20
Major rail upgrades completed across August bank holiday
Across the West Coast main line over the August bank holiday weekend, Network Rail successfully completed numerous essential upgrades.
The multi-million-pound investment as part of Britain’s Railway Upgrade Plan included signalling upgrades in Liverpool and multiple track upgrades requiring the full closure of the railway between Rugby and Coventry.
The work carried out on Europe’s busiest mixed-used passenger and freight railway line, will improve services and reliability.
The work carried out includes signalling equipment removed from Ditton signal box in Liverpool and control moved to Manchester Rail Operating Centre.
More work was carried out as part of the East West Rail project with a further span removed from Bletchley flyover.
New track was also installed between Coventry and Rugby and waterproofing completed on Albany Road railway bridge in Earlson, Coventry.
Tim Shoveller, Managing Director for Network Rail’s North West & Central region, said: “We know there is never a good time to close the railway and I’d like to personally thank passengers for their patience while hundreds of our engineers worked over the long weekend to make the network better for them.
“The upgrades this August bank holiday will make the West Coast main line more reliable for passengers, who we are welcoming back after the summer break as they return to school and work in the days and weeks to come. I want to reassure passengers they can travel with confidence as we work tirelessly to clean stations and implement social distancing measures as Britain emerges from the coronavirus pandemic.”
Images: Network Rail