Officials have unveiled the next stage of plans to upgrade Britain’s busiest railway line, which runs between Euston and Scotland, with hundreds of improvements planned over the coming years
Engineers will improving the line during the next stage of works(Image: Network Rail)
Bosses have revealed the next phase of their ambitious plans to modernise Britain’s busiest railway line for the first time in over half a century. The West Coast Main Line, running from London Euston up to Glasgow and Edinburgh through the West Midlands and North West England, handles nearly 2,000 passenger services and shifts 15,000 tonnes of freight daily, yet “much of its infrastructure is struggling to meet modern demand.”
With passenger numbers projected to double by 2050, the latest investment is “about making sure the railway can keep pace with the future”, according to Network Rail. In the years ahead, engineers will carry out hundreds of improvements and renewals as part of the £400 million scheme.
Authorities have warned the works will require considerable time, but have emphasised they will deliver enhanced services. Julien Dehornoy, north west and central deputy regional managing director at Network Rail, said: “This is about securing the future of one of Britain’s most vital railway lines.
“The improvements will take time, but by investing now, we’re laying the foundations for a more reliable, resilient railway that communities and businesses can depend on for decades to come.
The West Coast Main Line is the busiest in the UK(Image: Getty Images)
“Each project is being carefully planned with train operator colleagues to keep passengers moving during the vital work.
“We’re committed to ensuring passengers know well in advance any changes to their usual journey so they can plan.”
List of upcoming upgrades
A 2025 House of Commons report revealed that in 2024, the average percentage of “on time” services across Great Britain stood at 67.0%, reports the Express.
By comparison, Avanti West Coast managed just 40.6%, CrossCountry 47.3%, TransPennine Express 49.4%, West Midlands 63.3% and Northern Trains 58.2% punctuality rates.
“Each selected train operator that uses the West Coast Main Line, except for TransPennine Express, was below the Great Britain average,” the document read.
“This is the start of a long-term programme to make journeys more reliable and resilient along the vital rail corridor,” Network Rail added.
The organisation stated that benefits from the project will “build gradually”, with each upgrade representing a step towards “fewer delays and smoother journeys”, “stronger links between towns, cities and communities”, “a railway that can better cope with extreme weather and climate change”, “more goods moved by rail, reducing lorry traffic and carbon emissions” and “more jobs and investment that support local economies.”
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