Drone and trackside footage has been released, highlighting major rail improvement works carried out across the North West over the Easter weekend.

The West Coast Main Line between Preston and Oxenholme reopened on Monday, 6 April, following a two-day closure for essential upgrades.

Work completed during the closure included the installation of new structures and posts for modern LED signalling at Carnforth station, as well as enhancements to overhead power lines in Lancashire.

These upgrades form part of an ongoing £400 million investment programme on the West Coast Main Line, a key route linking London with cities such as Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh.

Additional work took place on the Great Rocks freight line in the Peak District, where drainage improvements were made to reduce the risk of tunnel flooding.

Engineering teams operated in challenging conditions, with strong winds and heavy rain caused by Storm Dave.

Weather disruption also affected operational services, and passengers have been thanked for their patience.

Further closures are scheduled between 11 and 19 April for additional overhead line renewals between Preston, Lancaster and Fylde, with diversion routes and replacement services planned.

Work is also ongoing on the West Coast Mainline in two areas. Between London Euston and Milton Keynes, Network Rail is carrying out engineering and upgrade projects.

While in Scotland, passengers are being warned of disruption in South Lanarkshire and Dumfries and Galloway during works from 3-8 April and 11-20 April.

Passengers are being asked to check before travel and to leave plenty of time for their journeys during the disruption. 

“I’d like to thank passengers for their patience while we’ve been carrying out these major railway upgrades to improve journeys in the North West this Easter.

“Despite Storm Dave we were able to use the extended bank holiday to get started with some really important projects as part of our significant upgrade plan to the West Coast Main Line. These will continue again for 8 days from next weekend where we’ll be renewing the overhead lines which provide power to trains between Preston, Lancaster and Fylde. Please plan ahead at National Rail Enquiries so you know exactly what to expect from your journey.”

Christian Irwin OBE, Network Rail North West and Central region Capital Delivery.