Rail passengers heading through Oxenholme are being urged to check before they travel over the May bank holiday weekend.
Engineers from Network Rail's ‘orange army’ are carrying out essential upgrades to the West Coast main line and on the Windermere Branch line between 5.15am on Saturday the 30th of April, and 11am on Monday the 2nd of May.
Between those days and times, Virgin and Transpennie Express services between Carnforth and Carlisle will be diverted via Stockport with extended journey times.
Bus replacements will run at various points along the line, including between Preston and Lancaster, and Lancaster and Carlisle.
Martin Frobisher, route director at Network rail, said: “The work at Oxenholme to replace life expired track will improve the track layout in the area, make it easier to maintain and lead to more reliable service for passengers.
“I appreciate there will be some disruption as a result of this work and I’d like to thank passengers for their patience while we carry out this investment to provide a better railway.”
Alex Hynes, Managing Director for Northern Rail, said: “Investment in infrastructure helps contribute to a real improvement in performance and reliability for our customers on this line of route. Our advice to customers is to check before travelling and allow additional time where possible.”
Michelle Ragozzino, Virgin Trains Station Manager at Oxenholme, said: “Over the May Day holiday, some destinations along the West Coast Mainline may be served by fewer trains and some may only be reachable by rail replacement coaches. Due to this and the ongoing improvement works at Oxenholme, parking at the station will be extremely limited, so passengers should definitely check their journey before they travel and leave plenty of time to arrive at the station. We have worked closely with Network Rail to ensure alternative travel arrangements and parking spaces are in place to keep disruption to a minimum whilst this important work is carried out.”
It's part of the company's £40bn Railway Upgrade Plan.