When do Network Rail Christmas engineering works start and which stations are affected? Dates, routes and replacement services

THIS winter, Brits travelling by rail can expect their journey times to be TREBLED if they take certain routes.

The festive season is set to be plagued by 42 scheduled engineering works, which will delay up to 14 days of festive travel.

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But which journeys are affected and is there a way to avoid them?

When will the delays take place?

From December 19^th to January 2^nd, Network Rail have 27 daytime engineering projects and 15 night-time works planned.

This jam-packed schedule has been described as one of the “biggest ever” Christmas improvement programs.

Which stations will be closed?

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In London, locations that will be affected are Paddington, Liverpool Street, Charing Cross, Waterloo and Cannon Street.

On December 27^th, shoppers in Shepherds Bush, London, may struggle to make the most of the sales as the station linked to Westfield shopping centre will not be offering any services.

Airports Heathrow and .

will run trains less frequently through the festive period, as well as closing from the 24th-29th of December.

In Manchester, there are 14 days of closures planned, bringing lines to Eccles and Salford Crescent to a close on December 23^rd.

Buses to Liverpool and Warrington will also be delayed on December 27^th and between December 31^st and January 2^nd.

In Cardiff, Arriva trains Wales, Great Western Railway and CrossCountry services are all expected to be hit with delays.

How to avoid delays

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Before booking a journey, always check the to check if there are any planned engineering works.

There is also already a detailed outline of expecting delays on the page.

If delays or closures are in place, it is advisable to allow plenty more time for your journeys.

In these instances, replacement buses or rail diversions will be in place in affected areas.

As rail delays are set to wreak havoc over the Christmas period

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