Passengers are being advised to plan their journeys in advance as a series of weekend engineering works will affect services on the West Coast Main Line starting this Saturday, 29 March.

In Scotland, between Carstairs and the border, Network Rail teams will be carrying out track renewals, drainage improvements, and general infrastructure maintenance on weekends from this Saturday until Sunday, 8 June. Simultaneously, south of the border, engineers will be renewing signals and lineside equipment north of Carlisle.

During these weekend closures, no train services will operate between Carlisle and Glasgow Central or Edinburgh Waverley. Rail replacement bus services will be in place between Carlisle and Glasgow Central.

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Ross Moran, route director for Network Rail Scotland, emphasised the importance of the work: "These are vital improvements that will make the West Coast Main Line more reliable for our passengers and freight customers. While much of the work is complex, meaning we need to close the line to do it, our engineers will work as quickly as possible to complete the project."

Christian Irwin OBE, Network Rail capital delivery director for the North West and Central region, added: "The West Coast Main Line is a vital route for passengers and freight customers on both sides of the border and our investment in the line north of Carlisle will provide smoother journeys now and in the long-term. During the weekend closures, I’d encourage passengers to plan their trips by visiting the National Rail Enquiries website."

The work in Scotland will also include track renewal or refurbishment at various locations, including Abington, Thankerton, and Symington. Drainage improvements will be carried out at Elvanfoot, and switches and crossings will be renewed at Kirtlebridge.

Passengers are advised to check how their journeys will be affected by visiting nationalrail.co.uk or individual train operator websites. More information on Network Rail's improvement works can be found at www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/looking-after-the-railway/.