Easter Engineering Blitz to Shut Part Of West Coast Main Line for Six Days

Passengers planning to travel on the West Coast Main Line over Easter are being warned of significant disruption as Network Rail undertakes a series of major engineering projects between London Euston and Milton Keynes Central.

From 3 to 8 April, no main line services will operate between the two stations while engineers carry out upgrades designed to modernise ageing infrastructure, boost reliability and prepare the route for future growth. The West Coast Main Line is described as Europe’s busiest mixed-use railway, serving both passenger and freight traffic.

The programme of works spans multiple locations and represents tens of millions of pounds in investment. At Willesden, £8.4 million will be spent renewing switches and crossings and replacing ballast to improve track performance. Near Leighton Buzzard, a bridge at Ledburn will undergo £6.6 million of waterproofing to protect the structure from future damage, alongside more than £7 million of signalling improvements aimed at reducing failures.

Elsewhere, over £8 million will fund the renewal of overhead line equipment near Wembley to strengthen power resilience and safety. In Bushey, £2 million of enabling works will support a wider power supply upgrade, while Harrow & Wealdstone station will benefit from £5.8 million of canopy repairs and platform improvements.

With the line closed for six days, services will start and terminate north of the affected section. Rail replacement buses will operate to keep passengers moving, though journey times are expected to be longer.

Gary Walsh, Network Rail’s West Coast South route director, said:

“There is a large amount of work taking place over the Easter bank holiday and until 8 April to improve the reliability of the West Coast Main Line for the millions of passengers and freight operators who rely on this route. There will be some major changes to journeys between Euston and Milton Keynes in this six-day period so we’re urging everyone who plans to travel over Easter to check their journey in advance at National Rail Enquiries.”

Jonny Wiseman, customer experience director for London Northwestern Railway, said:

“I would like to thank our customers for their patience while Network Rail carries out these essential upgrades to the railway over the Easter period. During this time it is important for passengers to plan their journeys carefully as rail replacement transport will be in operation and travel times will be extended.”

Chris Liptrot, Operations Director at Avanti West Coast, said:

“While Network Rail carry out this essential work, we’ll be operating an amended timetable with journeys to and from London Euston involving changes or rail replacement buses. We strongly advise customers making journeys to or from London Euston between 3 and 8 April to plan ahead and check the National Rail website before travelling.”

Image: West Midlands Railway