Network Rail announces major Christmas engineering works across UK

Network Rail has scheduled extensive engineering and improvement programmes across several key UK rail hubs during the 2026 Christmas period.

At Crewe Station, a multi-million-pound investment will begin with work on tracks, signalling, overhead power lines, and the station roof. While engineers will work on Christmas Day and Boxing Day to minimize passenger impact, a nine-day closure is planned starting 13 February 2027.

Birmingham New Street will undergo a £13m upgrade involving the replacement of overhead power lines. The station will be closed from 24 December to 28 December 2026, necessitating replacement buses and diversions for operators including Avanti West Coast and West Midlands Railway.

Additionally, a 10-day programme will take place on the Great Eastern Main Line at Forest Gate to renew points, rails, and sleepers. This work will affect Elizabeth line and Greater Anglia services serving London Liverpool Street. Other regional projects include renewals at Barking, Stratford, and various locations across East Anglia.