Network Rail is thanking passengers using the West Coast Mainline for their patience following major upgrades to overhead power systems this April.

More than 50 kilometres of overhead lines have been replaced between Preston, Lancaster, and Fylde. Part of a wider £400 million investment programme across Lancashire and the UK’s busiest mixed-use railway.

Between Saturday, 11 and Sunday, 19 April, engineering activity disrupted northbound travel along the route. During the same period, signalling improvements were carried out between Carlisle and the Scottish border.

Network Rail has now turned its attention to further disruption scheduled for the early May bank holiday (2-4 May). In the North West, Liverpool Lime Street will be closed between Sunday and Monday morning to allow for signalling upgrades in the Edge Hill area. Between Warrington and Preston, passengers are also warned of disruption during overhead line renewals.

A reduced timetable will also be in place for services to Euston as track improvements take place in North West London.

Passengers are asked to plan ahead of travel and allow plenty of time to reach destinations.

“Upgrading the overhead power systems for trains is vital to keep passenger and freight services running smoothly, and replacing 50kms over an extended railway closure will mean more reliable journeys in future.

“We know there’s never a good time to close the railway, so we thank those who’ve been impacted by these essential upgrades in Lancashire and Cumbria. It’s all part of our ongoing investment into the West Coast Main Line over the next several years.”

Paul Danks, Network Rail senior programme manager.