Industry collaborates to operate temporary timetable during essential repairs

• New timetable introduced as Network Rail carries out emergency engineering work on trackside embankment damaged by recent heavy rain
• Extra stops added at short notice to Avanti West Coast services at Nuneaton, Tamworth and Lichfield Trent Valley
• Customers urged to check before they travel for latest timetable updates

Avanti West Coast has added extra stops at stations along the Trent Valley to enable Network Rail engineers to carry out essential repair work to an embankment at Hillmorton.

Working alongside industry partners, the long-distance operator introduced the emergency timetable following damage to the track just south of Rugby following recent heavy rain.

To avoid congestion on the alternative route via Northampton, an agreement was reached with London Northwestern to temporarily withdraw their hourly Crewe to London service, and in doing so reduce the number of trains over the diversionary route limiting further delays.

Gus Dunster, Executive Director, Operations for Avanti West Coast said: “Working closely with London Northwestern and Network Rail we’ve been able to quickly add extra stops at Nuneaton on services between London Euston and Liverpool Lime Street. Services between London Euston and Manchester Piccadilly will also call additionally at Tamworth and Lichfield Trent Valley.”

As a result, there will be changes to departure and arrival times at some stations with journey times extended by approximately 15 to 30 minutes. The temporary timetable is expected to be in place until at least mid-February and customers are urged to check before setting out, arrive at stations early where they can as well as following Government advice to use the railway for essential travel only.

The problem came to light when the driver of an Avanti West Coast service reported a dip in the track on the approach to Rugby station. Network Rail, who maintain the railway infrastructure attended the site and located the damage.

James Dean, Network Rail’s Route Director, said “I’m really sorry if your journey has been affected by the landslip. We are working around the clock rebuilding the embankment - this is a major piece of work and we are aiming to reopen the lines as usual in mid-February.

This landslip was caught early thanks to an Avanti West Coast driver. His catch has meant our teams have been able to get in and prevent a much worse slip.”

Customers with London Northwestern tickets are also able to travel on Avanti West Coast services.

Lawrence Bowman, Customer Experience Director for London Northwestern Railway, added: “This arrangement with Avanti West Coast is a great example of the rail industry working in collaboration in the best interests of passengers. With trains subject to diversions and speed restrictions while Network Rail repairs the landslip it makes sense to reduce the number of services running, particularly given current low passenger numbers.”

Any Avanti West Coast customer whose journey has been delayed by 15 minutes or more, will be entitled to some compensation, details of which can be found here.