£400m upgrade programme set to modernise Britain’s busiest railway

Passengers using the West Coast Main Line are expected to see long-term improvements as Network Rail moves forward with a wide-ranging programme of renewal on the heavily used route linking London, the Midlands, the North West and Scotland.

Network Rail has set out the next phase of work aimed at modernising the country’s busiest mixed-traffic railway, marking the first comprehensive overhaul of the line in more than half a century. The route currently handles close to 2,000 passenger services every day alongside the movement of around 15,000 tonnes of freight.

Much of the existing infrastructure is now under pressure, with demand continuing to grow. With forecasts suggesting passenger numbers could double by 2050, the programme is designed to ensure the railway remains capable of meeting future needs while maintaining reliability in the present.

Over the next few years, hundreds of individual projects will be delivered as part of a £400m investment package. Planned work includes renewing overhead line equipment, track and signalling between Warrington and the Scottish border, upgrading track on the approaches to Manchester Piccadilly, renewing overhead line equipment through Birmingham New Street, and carrying out track and electrification renewals between Milton Keynes and London Euston.

Network Rail said the upgrades represent the beginning of a sustained, long-term effort to improve resilience along the route. While the benefits will be introduced progressively, the programme is intended to reduce delays, improve connections between communities, strengthen the railway’s ability to cope with extreme weather and climate change, and enable more freight to move by rail rather than road, cutting emissions and lorry movements. The investment is also expected to support jobs and wider economic growth along the corridor.

Julien Dehornoy, North West & Central Deputy Regional Managing Director at Network Rail, said:

“This is about securing the future of one of Britain’s most vital railway lines. The improvements will take time, but by investing now we’re laying the foundations for a more reliable, resilient railway that communities and businesses can depend on for decades to come. Each project is being carefully planned with train operator colleagues to keep passengers moving during the vital work. We’re committed to ensuring passengers know well in advance any changes to their usual journey so they can plan.”

Image: Network Rail