UPGRADE work to the West Coast Main Line around Warrington is set to start on Saturday, causing travel disruption for 16 days.

This will affect all trains from Warrington to Crewe and from Chester to Manchester, which passes through Bank Quay.

Services from Crewe will be either diverted via Manchester Piccadilly or a bus replacement service will be in operation to Warrington or Preston.

Trains between Blackpool and the North will also be disrupted until the repairs are completed at Acton Grange Junction by Sunday, August 4.

The busy junction is used by over 260 trains every day, and will see improvements completed to overhead lines, cabling signalling and track.

Speaking about the disruption, Mid Cheshire Rail Users Association (MCRUA) Chairman John Oates said: “This 16-day planned blockade is part of £27m being invested in the Great North Rail Project to bring outdated track and equipment up to modern standards.

“You can expect cancellations, replacement bus services and delays as some trains are diverted via Manchester Piccadilly and Wigan.

“If you are travelling from Warrington Bank Quay, our advice is to travel from either Wigan or Preston depending on your destination.”

Passengers who choose to avoid delays by travelling on the Mid Cheshire Line into Manchester should also expect these to be busy as a knock-on effect.

The engineering works will not affect the Crewe to Liverpool service, but all rail users are urged to check timetables very carefully before they travel during this period.