Passengers travelling on the West Coast Main Line are being urged to plan ahead as essential improvements mean the railway between Rugby and Stafford will be closed between Saturday 24 May and Sunday 1 June.

During a nine-day closure, Network Rail teams will carry out important work to improve the reliability and resilience of the railway.  

This includes: 

  • New track and railway foundation stone (ballast) installed near Atherstone. 
  • Waterproofing a bridge over the River Anker near Tamworth station to protect it from future weather damage.  
  • Engineers will be completing critical work on an embankment between the Great Haywood and Shugborough Conservation Area and Cannock Chase, to help protect the railway during adverse weather conditions. 
  • Repairs will also be taking place on Rugeley Trent Valley station's footbridge. 

These upgrades are vital to ensure a more reliable service for passengers and freight services for years to come. 

During the carefully planned work, no direct trains will run on the Trent Valley line between Rugby and Stafford. To keep passenger moving, some trains will be diverted and rail replacement buses will be in operation.

People travelling during this period should plan their journeys in advance and allow extra time. Gary Walsh, director for Network Rail's West Coast South route, said: "We know how important reliable rail services are for the communities and businesses we serve on the West Coast Main Line.

“Our essential improvements between Stafford and Rugby will help to deliver a smoother and more reliable railway for passengers and freight services. We're asking passengers to plan ahead at National Rail Enquiries or with their train operator and I'd like to thank everyone for their patience while we deliver these vital upgrades."

Jonny Wiseman, customer experience director for London Northwestern Railway, said: “We are grateful for our passengers' patience while Network Rail carries out these essential engineering works for nine days at the end of this month. 

“Rail replacement buses will be in place, with information available on journey planners and via our website. Please allow for extra time when you travel or consider alternative transport where possible.” Chris Liptrot, operations director at Avanti West Coast, added: “While Network Rail carry out this essential work, we’ll be operating an amended timetable and journeys to and from London Euston will take longer.

“We strongly advise customers making journeys during this time to plan ahead and check the Avanti West Coast website before travelling.” There will also be changes to services the weekend before the Spring Bank Holiday (Saturday 17 to Sunday 18 May) while engineering work takes place between Nuneaton and Stafford.

Buses will replace trains on some routes, with long distance services diverted. Passengers are encouraged to check the latest travel advice and plan their journeys by visiting Engineering works: Rugby / Stafford | National Rail. 

Additional travel information: 

Avanti West Coast: 

  • No trains will run between Rugby and Stafford via Nuneaton. Replacement bus services will run between Coventry and Nuneaton. 
  • Trains between London Euston and Holyhead will be amended to run between Crewe and Holyhead.

London Northwestern Railway:

  • Buses will replace trains between Rugby and Stafford. 
  • Trains between London Euston / Northampton and Crewe will be amended to run between London Euston / Northampton and Rugby. You should use alternative train services between Stafford and Crewe to complete your journey. 

Check before you travel: 

  • You can plan your journey using the National Rail Enquiries Journey Planner 

Replacement Bus Travel Advice: 

  • For helpful advice if you need to travel on a rail replacement service, including accessibility and bicycle information, please use our Rail Replacement Services page. 
  • You can find the pick-up and set-down location of rail replacement services by checking station signage or by searching for your station on our Find a Station page.
  • Please be advised that replacement vehicles may be busier than usual, and you should allow extra time for your journey.