As the one-week countdown to Christmas begins, rail passengers are being reminded to plan their journeys over the festive period, as works taking place will result in significant changes to services in some areas.
While much of the railway network will be open for business over this period, more than £160m of major investment projects will take place across the network, delivering long-term improvements for the millions of passengers who use the network day in and day out. Thousands of rail colleagues will be out on the network, renewing track, replacing ageing infrastructure and installing modern signalling, which will ultimately reduce faults and delays, and deliver a safer, more reliable railway that is fit for the future.
In the run-up to Christmas, trains and stations are expected to be particularly busy. Train services on many routes will finish earlier than usual on Christmas Eve, and, as usual, there will be no National Rail services on Christmas Day. On Boxing Day, most train operators will not run any trains, but a small number will run limited services.
Anit Chandarana, Network Rail’s System Operator Group Director, said: “With Christmas just around the corner, we know how important this time of year is for rail passengers wanting to travel on the network to visit families and friends.
“Major improvement work taking place across the rail network over the Christmas period will mean changes to services in some areas. That’s why we have worked closely with train operators to organise diversions and replacement buses where possible.
“To everyone travelling, please take the time to check your journey using National Rail Enquiries or your train operator’s website and book ahead if you can. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we deliver work to improve the reliability of the railway.”
Daniel Mann, Director of Industry Operations at Rail Delivery Group, said: “During the festive period, the railway continues to play a vital role in helping people connect with loved ones, enjoy days out and travel to and from work.
“Our colleagues across the railway will be working tirelessly to keep passengers moving, and we ask everyone to treat them with kindness and respect, as they help deliver a safe and reliable service. By doing so, and being considerate of fellow passengers, everyone can help ensure their journeys remain as smooth as possible for the rest of the year.
“We encourage customers to reserve seats where possible, bring only luggage that is easy to carry and fits in designated storage areas, and allow extra time for their journeys.”
Passengers travelling over the festive period are advised to check their journey in advance and book ahead, as services will be busy and some routes may have significant changes. They should allow extra time and travel at quieter times where possible.
Visual Disruption Map videos with British Sign Language (BSL), developed by Network Rail and Rail Delivery Group, are available at stations to assist passengers, focusing on areas with planned engineering works and providing advice on alternative travel options.
Major projects taking place over Christmas and New Year are as follows:
- Works to replace a junction at Hanslope on the West Coast Main Line means no trains between Milton Keynes and Rugby between Christmas Day and 4 January.
- Works to replace a 1960s bridge over the M6 motorway means no trains between Preston and Carlisle, 31 December to 15 January.
- Works to install new signalling at Kingmoor, just north of Carlisle means no trains between Carlisle and Lockerbie from 1 January and 7 January.
- Improvements by the Transpennine Route Upgrade around Church Fenton, Yorkshire, including signalling, track and power supply, means, no trains between Leeds and York ( via Church Fenton) between Christmas Day and 3 January.
- Commissioning and testing a new signalling system to improve reliability and safety means no trains between Cambridge North, Cambridge, Bury St Edmunds and Stansted Airport from Christmas Day to 4 January.
- Works to refurbish the roof of London Liverpool Street station means no trains between Stratford and Liverpool Street from Christmas Day to New Year’s Day.
- Works to renew worn out track and points around Queenstown Road, London, means no trains to or from Waterloo from Christmas Day until 28 December, and a very limited service to Waterloo until 4 January.
- The installation of a new railway bridge at Bowling in West Dunbartonshire means no trains between Dalmuir and Balloch/Helensburgh Central, or between Glasgow Queen Street and Crianlarich, 24 December to 2 January.
For timetable information and help finding your best routes, please check with your operator or National Rail Enquiries.