Network Rail is carrying out major improvement work for rail passengers in Cumbria this spring.

Throughout April and May, passengers are being advised to check before they travel on Sundays and bank holidays as the major project is carried out. 

Around £2m is being invested in brand new drainage systems in Carlisle and Shap, Cumbria, to protect the railway from flooding for years to come.

In the last 15 years, flooding incidents in this area have caused 15000 minutes of train delays.

This essential work aims to make the railway much more reliable for passengers, especially as Cumbria faces the potential of more extreme wet weather conditions due to climate change. 

Network Rail is using a bespoke “drain train” to refurbish existing drainage systems in the area. The train, operated by Balfour Beatty, uses a very strong hose to suck debris from the drains and remove blockages.

In total, around 3.2km of drainage will be installed, replaced or refurbished.

Engineers will also be replacing the track and upgrading the power supply to the signalling across the North of the important West Coast Main Line.

Phil James, Network Rail’s North West route director, said: “The new drainage systems on the West Coast Main Line in Cumbria will be fantastic for our passengers and freight customers, as the work will make sure journeys are much more reliable.

"2Cumbrians are no strangers to wet weather, but we need to make sure the railway is fit for the future as we see many more extreme wet weather events each year.

“To keep passengers on the move as much as possible, work is taking place mostly on Sundays. There will be rail replacement buses throughout the work. Please check before you travel in or through Cumbria in April and May.”

Passengers are advised to check before they travel on weekends until the end of May.

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Warren Grigg, customer experience manager at Avanti West Coast, said: “While Network Rail carry out these major improvement works, there’ll be no trains between Preston and Carlisle on Sundays.

"As a result, some journeys north of Preston will take longer and involve a rail replacement service.

“There’ll be further changes to our services between Carlisle and Scotland on some Sundays during this time due to Network Rail undertaking work near Lockerbie and Carstairs. We’d like to thank our customers for their patience and strongly advise they plan ahead and check the Avanti West Coast website for the latest updates before travelling.”