Vital Runcorn bridge upgrades bring changes to rail journeys this week

Rail passengers are being advised of changes to journeys between Chester, Warrington and Manchester and Liverpool via Runcorn this week due to essential bridge repairs.

Network Rail will be carrying out the important upgrades to two structures to make future rail travel more reliable.

It’ll see Warford Farm bridge and Watercourse bridge strengthened, waterproofed, overgrown plants removed and brickwork repaired.

The scale of the work means the railway must be entirely closed to trains between Monday 13 November and Sunday 19 November.

Passengers will be kept on the move by rail replacement bus services*, but are being advised to check before they travel at www.nationalrail.co.uk, and allow extra time for their journeys.

William Brandon, Network Rail project manager, said: 

“We know there’s never an ideal time to close the railway so I’d like to thank people for their patience while we carry out these essential upgrades to two railway bridges.

“The scale of these projects means there will be disruption to trains through the area involved this week. We’ve worked closely with all train operators on plans to keep passengers on the move, and I’d urge people to plan ahead by checking National Rail Enquiries, so they know what to expect from their individual journey.”

For more information on how Network Rail maintains its bridges, you can visit: 

https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/looking-after-the-railway/bridges-tunnels-and-viaducts/

Key changes to services:

Northern 

Chester to Runcorn East, Warrington Bank Quay, Manchester Victoria, Bradford Interchange and Leeds - buses replace trains between Chester, Runcorn East and Warrington Bank Quay Monday to Friday. On Saturday and Sunday, customers will need to use Transport for Wales bus services between Warrington Bank Quay and Chester 

Ellesmere Port to Helsby - buses replace trains between Ellesmere Port and Helsby 

Chester to Altrincham and Manchester Piccadilly - trains will continue to run as normal.

Transport for Wales 

Chester to Runcorn East, Warrington Bank Quay, Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Airport - buses replace trains between Chester, Warrington Bank Quay and Manchester Piccadilly. If you are travelling to or from Manchester Airport, you will need to use alternative services between Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Airport 

Chester to Runcorn and Liverpool Lime Street - buses replace trains between Chester, Runcorn and Liverpool South Parkway. If you are travelling to or from Liverpool, you will need to use alternative services between Liverpool South Parkway and either Liverpool Lime Street (London Northwestern) or Liverpool Central (Merseyrail). 

Ticket acceptance

Customers holding ‘TfW only’ or ‘Northern only’ tickets will be able to use either Northern or Transport for Wales services to complete journeys at no extra cost. This includes using Northern’s Chester to Manchester via Altrincham service.