Passenger disruption to continue

Network Rail was fined after previous work over-ran

A mainline railway station will be shut every weekend from May to December for track and signalling improvements.

Rugby station on the West Coast Mainline, the main route between London and Scotland, will be closed to allow Network Rail to complete the work.

The stretch of track is where work in December and January over-ran by four days leading to major disruption and a �14m fine for Network Rail.

London Midland and Virgin Train services will be affected.

Buses operating

London Midland said replacement buses will operate to fill the gaps.

Once the work is complete London Midland said it would run trains every hour between Birmingham and London and improve services elsewhere.

"It's a huge project and a tight deadline, and we have been working closely with Network Rail try to ensure it's completed on time," a spokesman said.

"Network Rail needs to close the track and signalling when it works on the railway - often over holiday weekends when there are fewer passengers."

A spokesman for Virgin Trains said the Office of Rail Regulator was due to make an announcement on the situation by the end of the month.

"But we know we can expect disruption at weekends for some time to come," he added.

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