CREWE rail passengers face longer journeys over Christmas because of the closure of part of the West Coast main line.

The line will be closed between Stafford and Crewe after the last trains on Christmas Eve until Sunday, December 28.

Network Rail said the closure is part of a £250 million investment to provide faster services and capacity for more trains, including building a new section of railway over the existing main line, which will remove the last remaining bottleneck on the West Coast main line.

The route between London Euston and Hemel Hempstead will also be closed after the last Christmas Eve trains until Monday, December 29, for signalling work.

To minimise disruption Network Rail, Virgin Trains and London Midland are advising passengers to avoid the West Coast main line unless absolutely necessary and to use alternative routes.

It said journeys on the line in and out of London and between the west Midlands and the north west would be longer and were likely to involve a bus replacement service. In addition other routes around the country are likely to be busier as a result.

“Norton Bridge, between Stafford and Crewe, is the last remaining bottleneck on the West Coast main line, and the new flyover will help to increase capacity and allow linespeed improvements through the area,” said Jim Syddall, acting route managing director for Network Rail.

“We apologise for the inconvenience caused, but the work is essential to improve the network and maintain reliable services for the millions of passengers who travel on the West Coast main line every year.”

Full details of the closures and alternative routes are available on the National Rail Enquiries website, nationalrail.co.uk/christmas.

The works mean East Midlands Trains services to and from London are likely to be much busier than normal on December 27 and 28.

East Midlands Trains services will stop running earlier than normal on Christmas Eve, and no services will operate on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

There will be some changes to the usual timetable during Christmas and new year on services to and from London as well as local services, and passengers are encouraged to ‘double-check’ before travelling.