People using Sandbach station are being urged to check services while maintenance work is carried out.
Network Rail said that West Coast main line journeys for passengers and freight in Cheshire would be “smoother and more reliable” as it carries out essential maintenance on the track foundation stone – or ballast – in Sandbach.
Special trains, called tamping machines, will pass over sections of track to vibrate the stones to pack them tightly together. This provides a firm foundation for the railway track and sleepers to sit on.
The work on two Sundays in August will mean changes to some Avanti West Coast, Northern and Transport for Wales train services, and people are being advised to plan their journeys in advance.
Passengers travelling between Crewe and Manchester on Sundays 1st and 8th August should check nationalrail.co.uk before travelling.
Chris Pye, North West infrastructure director for Network Rail, said: “I’d like to thank passengers for their patience while we carry out our essential maintenance.
“The work will help to keep this important section of the busy West Coast main line safe and reliable and we’re asking passengers to plan their journeys in advance.”
Chris Jackson, regional director at Northern, said: “This important work at Sandbach will help provide our customers with better, smoother journeys and is part of the industry’s drive to give all rail users a better overall experience.
“There will be some disruption while the work is carried out and I’d like to thank our customers in advance for their understanding and patience.”
For more information on how Network Rail maintains the track, visit networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway and look for “looking after the railway”.
