Thousands of rail passengers travelling for New Year's Eve celebrations face delays after engineering work was extended by a day.
Thousands of rail passengers travelling for New Year's Eve celebrations face delays after engineering work was extended by a day.
Network Rail has said it is "extremely sorry" the West Coast Mainline had to be shut at Rugby, Warwickshire.
Network Rail has said it is "extremely sorry" the West Coast Mainline had to be shut at Rugby, Warwickshire.
It will affect mainly Virgin Trains to and from the West Midlands, Scotland, north Wales and north-west England.
The move affects Virgin Trains to and from the West Midlands, Scotland, north Wales and north-west England.
The rail regulator is investigating a complaint from Virgin that Network Rail did not give them enough notice.
The rail regulator is investigating a complaint from Virgin that Network Rail did not give them enough notice.
Some services from London Midland and some sleeper trains from First ScotRail will also be affected.
Some services from London Midland and some sleeper trains from First ScotRail will also be affected.
I'm astonished that Network Rail have done this - New Year's Eve is a time when we really want to see people on public transport and not in their cars Shadow transport minister Theresa Villiers Bus services will replace trains between Birmingham International and Northampton.
I'm astonished that Network Rail have done this - New Year's Eve is a time when we really want to see people on public transport and not in their cars Shadow transport minister Theresa Villiers Buses will replace trains on the 40-mile stretch between Birmingham International and Northampton, adding up to an hour to journeys.
Network Rail said that as passenger numbers were lower over the festive period it was essential to carry out a large part of the £8bn upgrade of the line then.
Network Rail said that as passenger numbers were lower over the festive period it was essential to carry out a large part of the £8bn upgrade of the line then.
Up to 60,000 travellers are expected to use the line on New Year's Eve and Virgin has warned them in a series of newspaper adverts to add at least an hour to journey times.
Up to 60,000 travellers are expected to use the line on New Year's Eve and Virgin has warned them in a series of newspaper adverts to add at least an hour to journey times.
Dr Claire Wells, of the Rugby Rail Users Group, said: "Network Rail have held their hands up and apologised for this extra day's closure but realistically the planning should have been better in the first place.
Dr Claire Wells, of the Rugby Rail Users Group, said: "Network Rail have held their hands up and apologised for this extra day's closure but realistically the planning should have been better in the first place.
"Either they should have had this closure in their scheduling from the start or they should have worked through so they did not need this additional day."
"Either they should have had this closure in their scheduling from the start or they should have worked through so they did not need this additional day."
Shadow transport minister Theresa Villiers also said she was disappointed to hear about the disruption.
Shadow transport minister Theresa Villiers also said she was disappointed to hear about the disruption.
She said: "I'm astonished that Network Rail have done this - New Year's Eve is a time when we really want to see people on public transport and not in their cars.
She said: "I'm astonished that Network Rail have done this - New Year's Eve is a time when we really want to see people on public transport and not in their cars.
"Suddenly they are saying that they are closing off important swathes of the track - that's going to cause a lot of hassle for passengers and frankly they should have done a better job in getting their engineering works finished on time."
"Suddenly they are saying that they are closing off important swathes of the track - that's going to cause a lot of hassle for passengers and frankly they should have done a better job in getting their engineering works finished on time."
Commuter Alan Crosby, from Coventry, said he had been forced to work from home.
He said: "It's really frustrating as I expected things to be OK today but found out at short notice that the line was closed.
"There appears to be no consideration for people that work in between Christmas and New Year on the non-holiday days."
Sina Cohen, from Warwickshire, said: "I was at the railway station and couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the notice explaining how I have to miss New Year's Eve in Scotland with my son and his gran.
"Network Rail need a reality check."
Have you been affected by the issues covered in this story? Are your travel plans affected? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.
Have you been affected by the issues covered in this story? Are your travel plans affected? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.
