Preston Railway Station disruption expected as two weekends of rail line closures begin

Preston Railway Station. Pic: Blog Preston

Rail passengers using Preston Railway Station are being warned of disruption due to track works up the line.

Network Rail is carrying out work between Lancaster and Carlisle which is to shut the West Coast Main Line this weekend and next weekend.

The railway foundation stone, sleepers and steel rails are being replaced along a stretch of more than a mile.

Network Rail’s North West route director, Phil James, said: We know there’s never an ideal time to close the railway and we always try to plan our work to impact the fewest passengers possible. When complete, our work will bring better, smoother and more reliable journeys for passengers and freight on the West Coast Main Line.

“When upgrading the track we have no choice but to close sections of railway and stop trains running so engineers can quickly and safely carry out our work. I’d urge anyone wanting to travel over the weekends concerned to check National Rail Enquiries and plan ahead, allow extra time to get to where you need to be, and be prepared for some of your journey to be by bus.”

Engineering works on the West Coast Mainline Pic: Network Rail

The works take place on Saturday 11 January, Sunday 12 January, Saturday 18 January and Sunday 19 January.

Below are the full services expected to be disrupted by the rail line works

Avanti West Coast

Services between London Euston and Blackpool North / Edinburgh / Glasgow Central will terminate at / start from Preston.

A reduced service will run Carlisle and Glasgow Central / Edinburgh.

A replacement bus services will run between Preston and Carlisle.

Caledonian Sleeper

On Sunday, all Caledonian Sleeper services will be retimed and diverted away from the usual route, instead running via Peterborough / York. These services will not call at Watford Junction, Crewe, Preston, Carlisle, Carstairs, or Motherwell.

Northern

Saturday:

Trains between Manchester Airport and Windermere will terminate at / start from Lancaster. Trains between Oxenholme Lake District and Windermere will not run.

Replacement bus services will run between Lancaster / Oxenholme Lake District and Windermere.

Sunday:

Trains between Manchester Airport and Barrow-in-Furness / Windermere will terminate at / start from Lancaster, running to a reduced timetable. Trains between Oxenholme Lake District and Windermere will not run.

Replacement bus services will run between Preston and Lancaster, and between Lancaster and Oxenholme Lake District.

You should use alternative services between Manchester Airport and Preston.

TransPennine Express

Saturday:

Trains between Manchester Airport and Glasgow Central / Edinburgh will run between Manchester Airport and Lancaster only. A separate service will run between Carlisle and Glasgow Central / Edinburgh.

A replacement bus service will run between Lancaster and Carlisle.

Sunday:

Trains between Manchester Airport and Glasgow Central / Edinburgh will run between Manchester Airport and Preston only. A separate service will run between Carlisle and Glasgow Central / Edinburgh.

A replacement bus service will run between Preston and Carlisle.

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