North-west rail passengers warned of Christmas disruption on West Coast Main Line

Passengers travelling on the West Coast Main Line this Christmas and New Year are being urged to check before they travel ahead of a programme of major railway improvements.

Taking place between 25th December 2025 and 15th January 2025, Network Rail is carrying out major upgrades on sections of the line between London and Cumbria to improve future journeys on the route.

Among the hundreds of journey improving projects, the largest are: 

• A £60 million replacement of a 130-metre-long bridge over the M6 near Penrith 
• A £26 million upgrade to the extremely busy Hanslope Junction close to Milton Keynes 
• A rolling £61 million programme of signalling upgrades north of Carlisle 
• A £6 million project to replace signalling gantries at Preston station

Other smaller projects across the line will include renewals to overhead lines, station platforms, track, signalling systems, and bridges.

While the work is going on, significant sections of the line will have to be closed over a 22-day period between Christmas Eve and 15 January.  While some diversionary routes will in place, replacement buses will also be used to keep passengers moving.

Christian Irwin OBE, Network Rail’s capital delivery director for the North West & Central region, said:

“This critical work we are delivering over the festive period is a key part of our ongoing major investment plan for the West Coast Main Line, one of the UK’s busiest rail routes.

“These projects will enhance the experience for passengers and freight, improve reliability and performance across the railway line, and ensure it remains fit for purpose for decades to come.

“We know that this work will cause some disruption for those travelling during the festive season so please plan your journeys as early as possible by visiting National Rail Enquiries.”

Works being carried out are part of an ongoing investment of £400 million by Network Rail into both the northern and southern sections of the West Coast Main Line over the next four years.

Passengers should visit the National Rail Enquiries website for the latest travel information and check with train operating companies for more information on services.