NETWORK RAIL has revealed that engineering works over the Easter holiday will involve 14,000 people and more than £100 million worth of investment.

Following the problems with engineering overruns after Christmas, the infrastructure owner is emphasising that transport is being co-ordinated to ensure that 'Britain keeps moving' over Easter, even though fewer people than usual use the railways because most commuters do not travel.

The work includes more reconstruction at London Bridge and the installation of freight lines under the recently-opened viaduct at Reading. A bridge over the West Coast Main Line will be replaced at Watford Junction, while overhead lines will be renewed at Chadwell Heath, Romford and Ilford on the Great Eastern Main Line.

Network Rail chief executive Mark Carne said:  “Our improvement programme this Easter, delivered by a 14,000 strong army of rail workers, is focussed on delivering a better service for passengers.  We are acutely conscious that many people want to use the railway during the holidays to reunite with their friends and families, which is why the vast majority of the network is running normally over the holiday period but there will be disruption for some.

“I’d like to apologise to any passengers whose plans are affected by our improvement work, but I hope they will understand that this is a quieter time on the railway and we want to minimise the overall impact of these vital projects on passengers.”