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Rail delays expected over Easter Easter disruption hits passengers
(about 3 hours later)
Disruption is expected on the UK train network over the Easter weekend as Network Rail carries out major works on most of the key routes. Train travellers in the UK are facing disruption over the Easter weekend as Network Rail carries out major works on most of the key routes.
The main projects are on the East Coast mainline and the West Coast mainline, where work over-ran at New Year.The main projects are on the East Coast mainline and the West Coast mainline, where work over-ran at New Year.
But Network Rail says information about changes to services will be readily available and is promising to deliver the improvements on time. But Network Rail said information about changes to services was readily available and promised to deliver the improvements on time.
Extensive roadworks are also expected to lead to traffic problems.Extensive roadworks are also expected to lead to traffic problems.
Roadworks suspendedRoadworks suspended
More than 30 rail projects are to be carried out over the Easter holiday, with 6,000 people working around 300,000 man-hours, laying new track, repairing bridges and updating signalling systems. More than 30 rail projects are to be carried out over the Easter holiday, with 6,000 people working about 300,000 man-hours. The work includes laying new track, repairing bridges and updating signalling systems.
Network Rail was fined a record £14m by the Office of Rail Regulation after engineering work over-ran on stretch of track near Rugby, causing delays for thousands of people over New Year. Network Rail was fined a record £14m by the Office of Rail Regulation after engineering work over-ran on a stretch of track near Rugby, causing delays for thousands of people over New Year.
RAILWAYS Scheduled maintenance: West Coast main line: Closed Good Friday-Easter Monday between Coventry, Rugby and Northampton and from London Euston Sat - MondayEast Coast main line: London King's Cross - NE England and Scotland services diverted via Leeds, 1400 Sat - 1400 SunGreat Western main line: Didcot Parkway - Swindon and Chippenham services replaced by a bus service or diverted, Fri-MonSouth West main line: Alterations and diversions to services to and from London Waterloo due to engineering works at Clapham Junction, Fri-MonEast Anglia/Essex coast line: Replacement bus service between Gidea Park, Billericay and Ingatestone National Rail Easter 2008 summary RAILWAYS Scheduled maintenance: West Coast main line: Closed Good Friday-Easter Monday between Coventry, Rugby and Northampton and from London Euston Sat - MondayEast Coast main line: London King's Cross - NE England and Scotland services diverted via Leeds, 1400 Sat - 1400 SunGreat Western main line: Didcot Parkway - Swindon and Chippenham services replaced by a bus service or diverted, Fri-MonSouth West main line: Alterations and diversions to services to and from London Waterloo due to engineering works at Clapham Junction, Fri-MonEast Anglia/Essex coast line: Replacement bus service between Gidea Park, Billericay and Ingatestone National Rail Easter 2008 summary
The company said lessons had been learned from the disruption and there will be minimum inconvenience to passengers this Easter. The company said lessons had been learned from the disruption and there would be minimum inconvenience to passengers at Easter.
But it is advising passengers to double check their travel plans before setting out. But it advised passengers to double check their travel plans before setting out.
Edward Funnel from the Association of Train Operating Companies said the work was being carried out while fewer people than normal would be using services.Edward Funnel from the Association of Train Operating Companies said the work was being carried out while fewer people than normal would be using services.
He said: "You have got four clear days to get to grip with the network and do some big serious work to improve the network, signals, new track and so on."He said: "You have got four clear days to get to grip with the network and do some big serious work to improve the network, signals, new track and so on."
On other forms of transport, two million people are expected to pass through British airports this weekend, peaking on Good Friday.On other forms of transport, two million people are expected to pass through British airports this weekend, peaking on Good Friday.
The Highways Agency said two-thirds of roadworks have been removed from England's motorways and major A roads to ease congestion. The Highways Agency said two-thirds of roadworks had been removed from England's motorways and major A-roads to ease congestion.
A total of 38 sets of roadworks have been completed and a further 47 are suspended until midnight on Monday 24 March.A total of 38 sets of roadworks have been completed and a further 47 are suspended until midnight on Monday 24 March.
However, roadworks are still affecting the M1, M4, M5, M6, M11, M25, M42, M48, M55, M56, M57, M60, M62, M65, M69 and many A roads. However, roadworks are still affecting the M1, M4, M5, M6, M11, M25, M42, M48, M55, M56, M57, M60, M62, M65, M69 and many A-roads.
The AA said 6.5 million cars were expected on the roads over the weekend.The AA said 6.5 million cars were expected on the roads over the weekend.
The RAC said a predicted cold snap could add to travel problems, with snow and icy conditions forecast for Scotland and some parts of north-east and east England.The RAC said a predicted cold snap could add to travel problems, with snow and icy conditions forecast for Scotland and some parts of north-east and east England.
Eurostar said it was carrying a record 160,000 rail travellers through the Channel Tunnel over Easter.Eurostar said it was carrying a record 160,000 rail travellers through the Channel Tunnel over Easter.
On the London Tube, the Circle, District, Hammersmith and City, Jubilee and Metropolitan lines are affected by engineering works.On the London Tube, the Circle, District, Hammersmith and City, Jubilee and Metropolitan lines are affected by engineering works.