AN £800,000 improvement project will ensure faster travel for Mid Cheshire Line rail passengers.

Network Rail is carrying out work on the tracks near Altrincham, which will allow a 20mph speed limit to be lifted.

This will pave the way for trains to run at 75mph, meaning faster and more reliable services for Northern passengers.

The work will see 2,500 tonnes of railway stone and 700 sleepers replaced on just over a kilometre of track, with new drainage also to be installed.

Work will take place over three consecutive Sundays – June 30, July 7 and July 14 – and throughout the weekend of August 10 to 12.

Adrian Brookes, planning manager at Network Rail said: “Our Great North Rail Project work along the ‘Bleeding Wolf’ section of railway in Hale will make passengers’ journeys between Greater Manchester and Cheshire faster and smoother.

“To get the best weekend travel advice, we’re asking people to check before they travel with their train operator and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM).”

Chris Jackson, regional director at Northern, said: “This is vital improvement work which will protect the journeys of our customers in Cheshire for years to come. Whilst any disruption is regrettable, I hope our customers understand the importance of this work and I’d like to thank them in advance for their patience.

“This work, alongside our own introduction of improved trains in Cheshire, is proof that the Great North Rail Project is making a real difference for rail travellers across the region.”

During the work rail replacement buses will be in operation and passengers are advised to check before they travel at www.nationalrail.co.uk.

The area of railway is named 'Bleeding Wold' after a legendary act of 13th century bravery which saw the Earl of Chester attacked by an injured wolf and saved by forester Adam De Lauton.

As a reward, King John granted him as much land ‘as he could walk in a day’ – land on which the railway now stands.