A Network Rail engineer. Credit: Network Rail.

The UK’s Network Rail is set to undertake around 600 upgrade projects over the Easter bank holiday weekend to improve railway infrastructure in the country.

The programme will entail an investment of around £116m.

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Network Rail chief executive Andrew Haines said: “Over the past year, we have continued to invest billions of pounds in our railway to make sure we can play our part in a sustainable recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.

“This significant investment will continue over the Easter bank holiday weekend, with thousands of frontline workers out delivering vital upgrades to the network.

“While the majority of routes are unaffected, anybody who needs to travel by train over Easter should check their journey in advance.”

The scope of works will include overhead line maintenance and remodelling works, as well as track layout at London King’s Cross, as part of the £1.2bn East Coast Upgrade, a series of projects on the West Coast Main Line and overhead line equipment upgrade at Stratford.

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It will also include maintenance works between Charing Cross and London Bridge/New Cross, signalling work in the Kingston, Richmond and Twickenham areas, along with track renewals and remodelling works between West Hampstead and Mill Hill Broadway.

UK Rail Minister Chris Heaton-Harris said: “From vital works on the new HS2 terminus, remodelling work at Kings Cross and replacing signalling equipment from the 1970s, we are investing billions to upgrade our railways for when passengers return.

“By undertaking projects of this magnitude now we are making the most of our railways being quieter. I urge passengers to minimise travel over the Easter weekend, but for those that need to, remember to plan ahead and avoid the busiest routes.”

Earlier this month, Network Rail announced that it will upgrade the Chiltern main line between London Marylebone and Bicester.

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