Network Rail urges passengers to plan Easter travel ahead of upgrade works
Network Rail has urged passengers to check their travel plans this Easter as it invests more than £100m in railway upgrades.
Network Rail, which manages Britain's railway network, said most routes would be open for "business as usual" travel as majority of the network is unaffected by upgrade work, but still warned those getting away for Easter to check their journeys before travelling.
Up to 13,800 workers will be deployed around the clock to keep the railway open and deliver more reliable infrastructure, improved facilities and services for passengers.
The Easter holidays provides a window for Network Rail to carry out vital upgrades to the network as it is less busy.
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The major investment programmes include work on the West Coast main line from London Euston to Glasgow, which will see closures on the line near the London station, near Preston and Glasgow. There will be no trains running to or from London Euston station from Friday 19 April to Monday 22 April.
The line from London Fenchurch Street in the City to Barking will also be improved by replacing two bridges and renewing the track. No trains will run to or from London Fenchurch Street, with services diverted to and from London Liverpool Street station from Friday 19 to Monday 22 April. Buses will replace trains between Barking and Aldgate East.
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Andrew Haines, chief executive of Network Rail said: “This Easter we are strongly advising passengers to plan ahead while we deliver essential upgrades to the rail network to improve their journeys.
“We know that our railway is up to 50 per cent quieter than usual over bank holidays so doing work at this time of year minimises our impact on passengers who, as research shows, understand the need for such activity."