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Vast majority of rail passengers unaffected by bank holiday improvement works

20/04/2011

The vast majority of people travelling by train over the upcoming bank holiday weekends will be unaffected by improvement works, with 16% more trains running this year compared to the same period last year.

During the Easter and May Day bank holiday weekends, Network Rail engineers will be working round the clock to lay new track, repair bridges, update signalling systems and overhead power lines and improve stations, to help deliver a better railway for passengers.

Figures from the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) and Network Rail show that:

• 18% more trains will run across the network this Easter compared to last year
• 13% more trains will run across the network this May Day bank holiday weekend compared to last year
• More than 90% of the rail network will run as normal, with routes between all but a few of the UK’s cities and main towns remaining open with no bus replacement services

Michael Roberts, chief executive of the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC), said: “The vast majority of people travelling by train should experience no disruption whatsoever because of improvement work over Easter and the following bank holiday weekend. Millions of pounds are spent all year round by train companies and Network Rail to improve the network, to ensure that even more trains arrive on time and even more passengers are happy with their service.”

Robin Gisby, Network Rail’s director of operations and customer services, said: “The rail network across the country is on the whole open for business over the bank holiday weekends with most routes operating normally. There will though be some areas where Network Rail will be undertaking improvement works to the railway bringing more comfortable and more reliable services for everyone.

“Massive strides have been made in recent years in reducing the impact of our work on passengers but we still advise anyone travelling over the weekend to check with their train operator before travelling to see whether there are any planned alterations or diversions for their journeys.”

ENDS

Note to editors

Passengers who think they may be affected by improvement work should contact National Rail Enquiries by going to www.nationalrail.co.uk/holidays
The most significant piece of investment work is on the Great Eastern line out of London Liverpool Street. This work is part of the multi-million pound investment to modernise the overhead lines which supply electricity to power trains, which will increase the reliability of the service. Works also include the £250m project to create the Chiltern mainline and reduce journey times; and work will start on the foundations of a completely new Birmingham New Street station.
Rail Improvements picture – Easter 2011
Main Line traffic:
East Coast Main Line: No significant disruptions between London King’s Cross and Aberdeen (London – Peterborough – Doncaster – York – Newcastle – Edinburgh – Dundee - Aberdeen)

West Coast Main Line: No significant disruptions between London Euston and Birmingham/Manchester. Improvement works mean bus replacement services between Crewe and Wigan and to and from Liverpool, also between Carlisle and Motherwell.

Midland Main Line: No significant disruption between London St Pancras and Derby.

Great Western Main Line: No significant disruptions between London Paddington and Bristol, Cardiff and Swansea, or for traffic travelling to Devon and Cornwall via Bristol Temple Meads. Disruption around Castle Cary will affect traffic to Devon and Cornwall via Newbury and Westbury. Services affected between Gloucester and Cheltenham and Chepstow.

South: No significant disruption between London Waterloo and Eastleigh. Services affected between Eastleigh and Bournemouth and Romsey.

South East: No significant disruption between Victoria or London Bridge and Brighton, Ashford or Dover. Services affected around Faversham and Ramsgate.

East Anglia: Improvement works mean services affected between London Liverpool Street and Shenfield in Essex. No significant disruption between Norwich, Colchester, or King’s Lynn.

Edinburgh – Glasgow: No significant disruptions

London: significant improvement works taking place on North London Line (Hackney Central to Acton Wells); Thameslink (Loughborough Junction to Kentish Town Junction). Some local services affected to and from Marylebone.

Air links:

London Paddington, Heathrow Express: No significant disruptions

London Paddington: Heathrow Connect: No significant disruptions

London Victoria, Gatwick Express: No significant disruptions First Capital Connect: No significant disruptions south of London Bridge

London Liverpool Street, Stansted Express: Sunday 24 April ONLY: Bus replacement up to 12.00pm. No other significant disruption

London St Pancras – Luton: First Capital Connect: Disruption to Thameslink services between St Pancras and Loughborough Junction