Rail travellers urged to plan ahead as engineering work affects Burton services

If you're heading anywhere by train over the next two weekends, it may be worth setting your alarm a little earlier.

Network Rail is carrying out major engineering work across the region on Saturday 11 July, Sunday 12 July, Saturday 18 July and Sunday 19 July, meaning passengers travelling to or from Burton-on-Trent should expect changes to their journeys.

The £5.1 million programme of improvements will see track renewed, signalling upgraded and drainage improved at several locations across Derbyshire and Staffordshire. In Burton, work will take place on sections of railway near the station and at Winshill, while improvements are also being made at Clay Mills level crossing.

As a result, trains on several routes will be affected, with replacement buses operating on some services and others being diverted or amended.

Passengers travelling between Burton-on-Trent, Derby, Crewe, Tamworth and Uttoxeter are most likely to notice changes, although some longer-distance CrossCountry services will also be affected.

Anyone planning to travel is encouraged to check their journey before leaving home and allow extra time, particularly where replacement buses are in operation.

While weekend engineering work is never ideal, the improvements are designed to make the railway more reliable and resilient, helping to reduce delays and keep services running smoothly in the future.

At a glance

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• Dates affected: Saturday 11 July, Sunday 12 July, Saturday 18 July and Sunday 19 July.
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• What to expect: Some trains replaced by buses, revised timetables and diverted services.
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• Who is affected: Passengers travelling through Burton-on-Trent, particularly towards Derby, Crewe, Tamworth and Uttoxeter.
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A bit of forward planning should help keep your weekend on track - even if your train isn't quite taking its usual route.