Warning over Christmas disruption to trains

The final stages of work to improve freight services would lead to disruption over Christmas, Network Rail said

Rail passengers have been warned that services into Crewe will be disrupted over Christmas, as work is done to improve freight services on the West Coast Main Line.

A reduced service will be in place between Christmas Eve and Friday 3 January, Network Rail (NR) said.

An amended timetable is also scheduled from Saturday until 2 January, with a reduced service to Manchester and no direct trains to Liverpool on 1 and 2 January.

The railway operator has invested almost £200m to upgrade independent lines, which take freight trains around Crewe station, NR said.

Passengers on replacement buses on Friday 27 December should have a valid rail ticket for their journey, it added.

On that day only, buses will arrive and depart from Crewe Alexandra FC's ground on Gresty Road from 07:00 GMT.

Signage would be installed and staff will be on hand to help people find their bus, NR added.

Full re-signalling

On other days, rail replacement services will arrive and depart from Crewe station, so passengers have been urged to check details of their journey.

NR said the work involves Basford Hall lines, which take freight trains around the station and back onto the West Coast Main Line, in order to "efficiently transport essential goods up and down the country, for years to come".

Important drainage and track work, as well as a full re-signalling in the area has also been undertaken, it said.

Programme manager Jamie Morris said: "We have worked hard to reduce the impact on passengers as much as possible, which means there is a different timetable on different days during this time.

"I am grateful to passengers and the community of Crewe for their patience during this important work."