Pledge on rail works completion

Rail bosses today pledged engineering works on the main route between the West Midlands and London would finish on time tomorrow.

Network Rail has been carrying out a £75 million package of works on the West Coast Main Line.

Passengers wanting to travel to London today were being forced to catch a train to New Street and then journey to nearby Moor Street station, where Chiltern Railways was running services to London Marylebone.

Operators are planning a reduced timetable tomorrow, but passengers will be able to travel directly from Wolverhampton and New Street to London.

Virgin Trains spokesman Jim Rowe today advised passengers travelling between London and Birmingham to use rival operator Chiltern Railways instead because it uses a track that is not affected by the engineering works.

Meanwhile, millions of motorists were hitting the roads today as they return from Easter holiday breaks in time for children to go back to school.

The RAC warned families to prepare for congestion as vast numbers of cars clog the busiest routes after a wintry weekend.