PEOPLE planning on using the railway this bank holiday are being urged to plan ahead and travel either side of the weekend if possible.

Over Easter, Network Rail invested £22million to improve future journeys for passengers and freight on the West Coast Main Line and key routes in the north west.

Now, a further £19million is being spent to complete or continue many of those major upgrades.

Network Rail is advising that the best time to travel will be on Friday, April 29, and Tuesday, May 3.

Passengers needing to travel on days in between could have longer journeys, fewer available seats and may need to use rail replacement buses.

Dave Penney, Network Rail passenger director for the north west, said: “We made great progress on major railway improvements over Easter, and I would like to thank passengers for their continued patience while we carry out more must-do work.

“We know there is never an ideal time to shut the railway, but bank holidays continue to be the least disruptive time for us to carry out this essential maintenance.

“Our advice is once again to travel either side of the bank holiday on Friday and Tuesday where possible, and to plan ahead by checking to see how your journey could be impacted.”

Over the weekend, track foundation strengthening will take place in Warrington, while signalling is being upgraded in Macclesfield.

Passengers are also being advised about strike action which will affect TransPennine Express services across the north of England on both Saturday and Sunday.

There will be no TransPennine Express trains on the West Coast Main Line on these days, and anyone that needs to make an essential journey between Liverpool and Manchester to Glasgow and Edinburgh should seek alternative transport or travel on Friday or Monday instead.

Train operator Northern says its services will be ‘very busy’ this weekend, and it is urging people to check before they travel and to be flexible with journeys.

Regional director Chris Jackson added: “We know the bank holiday provides a great opportunity for people to get out, explore and enjoy all that the north of England has to offer. 

“We are doing all we can to prepare for the weekend, and we are asking our customers to plan ahead, expect services to be busy, allow extra time for journeys, and where possible to avoid travelling during the busiest times.”

Passengers should plan ahead at networkrail.co.uk/wcml, check with train operators or visit nationalrail.co.uk for the latest journey information.