RAIL passengers travelling between Oxfordshire and Birmingham are being warned of changes to services this weekend.
Due to planned maintenance and improvement work, the railway will be closed on Sunday, January 19, between Bicester North/Banbury and Birmingham Moor Street and between Leamington Spa and Stratford-upon-Avon.
Network Rail’s teams will be working to improve drainage, cut back vegetation, inspect and maintain tunnels, and complete track maintenance to help keep the railway and journeys safe and reliable for passengers and freight services.
The essential work will affect Chiltern Railways, West Midlands Railway and CrossCountry and journeys will take longer than usual with bus replacement services in operation.
Neil Gaskin, programme director for Network Rail Central route, said: “I am sorry for the disruption caused while we complete this essential work.
“We know there is never a good time to close the railway but this work has been carefully planned to keep disruption to a minimum while delivering the most future benefits for passengers and freight.
“If you’re planning to travel, please plan ahead and check before you travel for the latest journey information and travel advice.”
Michael Stewart, commercial and customer strategy director at Chiltern Railways, said: “These engineering works are vital to improve the track and ensure more reliable journeys for customers in the future. Journeys through the affected areas this Sunday will take considerably longer and will involve a rail replacement bus.
“We advise customers to check their journeys ahead of travelling and we thank them for their patience as Network Rail carries out the works.”
Jonny Wiseman, customer experience director at West Midlands Railway, said: “We are grateful for our passengers’ patience while Network Rail complete essential engineering works this Sunday. Rail replacement buses will be in place between Stratford-upon-Avon, Dorridge, Whitlocks End and Snow Hill, and we recommend passengers check their journey before travelling.”
Passengers should check www.nationalrail.co.uk for the latest journey information and travel advice.
