Network Rail has come in for criticism after announcing a ‘huge programme’ of upgrade work at Christmas.
The rail infrastructure operator is advising passengers to plan their journeys as early as possible, with up to 200 projects being delivered across Britain. Around 10% of the network will be affected Network Rail suggested.
London's Liverpool Street station
Network Rail highlighted significant changes to train services out of London Paddington and London Liverpool Street in relation to Crossrail West and Crossrail East respectively.
Large scale work taking place on Manchester’s Ordsall Chord project will mean bus replacements and diversions from Oxford Road station from 18 December to the early hours of 28 December, while Cardiff Area Signalling Renewal works will affect services in the area from Christmas Eve until 3 January.
Labour’s shadow transport secretary Andy McDonald accused the Conservative government of hypocrisy.
‘In opposition the Tories slammed the closure of lines over Christmas for engineering works, but now they’re in a position to do something about it they don’t seem to care,' he said.
‘Engineering works are a necessity and they have to happen sometime, but the Government must ensure we don’t see a repeat of the chaos and overruns of previous years.’
Network Rail said its ‘essential programme of investment’ is part of its Railway Upgrade Plan, which will provide ‘more and faster services’.
The operator added that starting work on some major projects on Christmas Eve, a Saturday, would give engineers and maintenance teams four clear days to make significant progress.
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