Major upgrade work this Easter

29 March to 1 April 2024

From Saturday 15 July to Sunday 23 July, along with the Sundays either side (9 and 30 July), we’re running a reduced service on the West Coast Main Line and journeys will take longer while Network Rail carry out upgrade work.

To get you to your destination, our trains will be diverted towards the West Midlands (though not always calling at stations there), adding around 45 minutes to normal journey times. Our online journey planner will look for the best way to get you from A to B. Search here for your options and tickets >

Please plan ahead, reserve a seat and always check before travelling.

How will my journey be affected?

Sunday 30 July


Manchester - Trains diverted

Liverpool - No direct trains

Scotland & the North West - Trains diverted

Birmingham & the Midlands - Less frequent trains

North Wales - No direct trains


Travelling on Sunday 30 July

What upgrade work is happening?

Network Rail will be replacing 4,000 metres of track, 3,300 railway sleepers and installing new signalling equipment at Colwich Junction (on the Trent Valley line, between Rugby and Stafford). This is part of a £58m investment to improve future journeys on this important stretch of the West Coast Main Line.
Find out more >

Good to know

As the improvement work goes on, we’ll keep you updated on this page and via social media regarding any changes. For planning your journey, please plan ahead and find your best route here. Our online journey planner will always look for the best way to get you from A to B, whether your route’s affected by the disruption or not.

The RMT union has announced strike action at Avanti West Coast and 13 other train companies on 29 July. On this date, customers should expect our timetable and operating hours to be reduced significantly, and note that services that do run are expected to be very busy. Find out more on our strike page and get an at-a-glance view below.

Upcoming travel disruption

Fri 28 July

Busy services & some changes to the timetable

Sat 29 July

Strike action: reduced service

Sun 30 July

Engineering work: amended timetable

Mon 31 July

Normal service expected