Rail passengers in the UK are being advised of a significant shutdown on the west coast mainline during the Easter holiday. From Good Friday, 3 April, until Wednesday, 8 April, there will be no services on the mainline between London Euston and Milton Keynes, as well as between Preston and Lancaster on 4-5 April. Network Rail has implemented these changes as part of a £400 million project aimed at enhancing the reliability of this key intercity route.

The decision to schedule the engineering works during the Easter holidays is made to minimize disruption, as this period is typically one of the least busy travel times. Jake Kelly, the regional director for Network Rail, emphasized that the prolonged closure provides an invaluable opportunity to complete large-scale projects that cannot be done effectively over standard weekend closures. The work will include new track installation in Willesden, North London, along with essential repairs and upgrades to ensure the continued safety and reliability of the line.

Passengers are being urged to plan their journeys accordingly and explore alternative travel options during this period. Although such engineering works can be inconvenient, they are critical for maintaining infrastructure integrity and enhancing service efficiency. Network Rail is committed to improving travelers' experiences on one of the UK’s busiest routes and thereby supporting the broader transportation network during peak travel times in the future.