Full service resumes between Tamworth and Nuneaton following repairs to overhead line equipment

A normal timetable has been restored on the West Coast Main Line between Tamworth and Nuneaton after successfully installing a prop to an overhead line structure.

Engineers have completed work to temporarily restore the railway near Polesworth after damage to an overhead line structure was discovered during a routine track inspection on 6 December.

During the repairs, engineers installed a temporary support within one of the four tracks, so that trains could continue running safely on the remaining three lines. The partial closure meant that southbound train services between Tamworth, Atherstone and Nuneaton were replaced by buses which caused increased journey times for some passengers.

Extensive work has now been completed to allow the railway to fully reopen from Thursday 6 February. This has involved modifying the railway embankment, realigning the affected section of track and relocating a metal prop to keep the overhead line structure safe.

At first, trains will run at a reduced speed to allow the ground underneath the track to settle and adjust to the weight of passing trains. This will help our engineers monitor the area, before safely increasing speeds for smoother journeys.

Luke Swain, principal route engineer for Network Rail, said: “This is a complicated piece of engineering, and our repairs have kept as many trains moving as possible for passengers while ensuring the safety of the railway is maintained, and I would like to thank passengers for their patience.

"Our teams have worked around the clock to temporarily fix a damaged structure and fully reopen the railway. I am pleased to confirm that services can now operate as normal, and we appreciate everyone’s understanding during this time. The residents of Polesworth will have also noticed our presence and their patience is appreciated”

Jonny Wiseman, customer experience director at London Northwestern Railway, said: “We are grateful to passengers in Atherstone for their patience while Network Rail completed vital repairs to the overhead cables. We are pleased that the line is now open again and our normal timetable is back in operation. Our timetables are available to view on journey planners, so please check before travelling.”

Chris Liptrot, operations director at Avanti West Coast, said: “We’re pleased the railway between Tamworth and Nuneaton is now fully open and would like to thank our customers for their patience while Network Rail carried out vital repairs to the infrastructure.”

The design of a replacement overhead line structure at this location is ongoing and will be installed at a later date. To minimise further disruption to passengers, this will be installed at the same time as other planned improvements on the West Coast Main Line later in the year.

Passengers are encouraged to check their journeys via www.nationalrail.co.uk or with their train operator before they travel to ensure they have the latest service information.