Editing West Coast Main Line (section)

== Recent developments ==

=== Felixstowe and Nuneaton freight capacity scheme ===
{{Main|Birmingham to Peterborough Line}}
A number of items of work are under way or proposed to accommodate additional freight traffic between the [[Haven ports]] and the Midlands including track dualling. The 'Nuneaton North Chord' was completed and opened on 15 November 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/news/2012/november/Nuneaton-North-Chord-freight-line-now-open/ |title=Nuneaton North Chord freight line now open |date=15 November 2012 |publisher=Network Rail |access-date=15 November 2012 |archive-date=6 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706021208/http://www.networkrail.co.uk/news/2012/november/Nuneaton-North-Chord-freight-line-now-open/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Work starts on Nuneaton chord |magazine=Rail |location=Peterborough |page=20 |date=10 August 2011}}</ref> The chord will ease access for some trains between the [[Birmingham to Peterborough Line]] and the WCML. The Ipswich chord was opened at the end of March 2014 allowing trains to run without reversing from Felixstowe towards the Midlands.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/news/2014/mar/The-new-Ipswich-chord-will-ease-a-major-bottleneck-on-the-Great-Eastern-main-line/ |title=The new Ipswich chord will ease a major bottleneck on the Great Eastern main line |date=25 March 2014 |publisher=Network Rail}}</ref>

=== Stafford Area Improvements Programme ===
A planned [[flying junction]] and {{convert|2.5|mi|km|abbr=on}} track diversion in the {{rws|Stafford}} – {{rws|Norton Bridge}} area. This replaced the previous level junction where the [[Stafford to Manchester Line|Stafford to Manchester via Stoke-on-Trent]] line diverges from the trunk route at Norton Bridge, avoiding conflicting train movements to enhance capacity and reduce journey times. This allowed two extra off-peak trains per hour from Euston to the North West, one extra train per hour from Manchester to Birmingham and one additional freight train per hour. Additional freight capacity was also provided around Stafford station. The resignalling work associated with this project was due to be completed in summer 2015 and the Norton Bridge work was complete in December 2016, followed by a new timetable introduced in December 2017.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/improvements/stafford-crewe/ |title=Stafford – Crewe rail enhancements |publisher=[[Network Rail]] |access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref>

=== Weaver Junction to Liverpool signalling ===
Re-signalling work the WCML spur track from Liverpool to [[Weaver Junction]] was underway in 2016. Signal control moved to the Manchester Rail Operating Centre removing five local signal boxes. The signalling improvements are intended to improve journey times on this section of line.<ref>{{Cite press release |url=https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/gbp-340m-railway-upgrade-planned-for-liverpool-city-region |title=£340m railway upgrade planned for Liverpool City Region |publisher=Network Rail}}</ref>