Network Rail announce major Christmas-time closure of rail route between MK & Northampton

Network Rail have announced a major Christmas-time closure of the West Coast Main Line between Milton Keynes and Northampton.

One of several maintenance projects on the West Coast Main Line announced by the body that looks after the UK’s railway infrastructure includes the closure of all 4 tracks at Hanslope, located between Wolverton and Northampton stations.

The £26m upgrade is intended to be played across all four main lines at Hanslope, with the project taking place between 24 December and 5 January. Network Rail has said that there will be no trains between Milton Keynes and Northampton / Rugby in this period, with rail replacement buses in operation.

Multiple other projects are planned on the route over Christmas, with Network Rail also confirming a signalling project at Preston, the main phase of replacing a bridge at Penrith in Cumbria and a junction upgrade north of Carlisle. These projects are taking place in phases through to 15 January 2026.

Network Rail have said that there will also be more railway renewals taking place during this period, with upgrades to overhead power lines, station platforms, bridges, track and signalling systems along the length of the 309-mile route between London Euston and the Scottish border.

In a statement, Christian Irwin OBE, Network Rail North West & Central region Capital Delivery director, said, “This Christmas and New Year we’ll be investing tens of millions of pounds as part of our long-term commitment to make the West Coast Main Line fit for the future.

“Our ambitious programme, with numerous large-scale journey improving projects, will mean certain sections of the route will have to close across 22 days this festive season. For that reason, our advice to anyone planning to travel on the West Coast Main Line between London and Scotland is to plan your journeys as early as possible by visiting National Rail Enquiries.”