Crewe blockade?

[Rail Ranger]

Talk on WNXX of a month-long blockade at Crewe station next year, with diversions via the Independent lines. Does anyone know more?

Is it in connection with the renewal of the roof? There are rumours of resignalling but that sounds unlikely (to me). Unless others know more?

I know that Crewe-Cheadle Hulme is to be re-signalled next year with replacement of the existing signal heads and the replacement of the Ansaldo kit more generally.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Before the 1985 Crewe blockade there was absolutely loads of advance warning so I would be surprised if there was not loads this time too.

 

[D1511]

Fixing Crewe is going to take longer than a month!

 

[Rail Ranger]

The 1985 blockade took six weeks.

 

[SCDR_WMR]

I heard it was roof removal

 

[Vexed]

There's a 3 month closure in the EAS of platform 6 and the down slow from June to August and then 3 months for platform 5 and the up slow (Sept to Nov). This is not final and some engineering work will be cancelled/scope changed/moved. There are also some 9 day full station closures.

These are both listed as canopy works.

The Draft Advance Register of Possessions should release tomorrow for the Oct 2027 to March 2028 period so there might be an update/changes when that's released.

EAS - Engineering Access Statement, specially Section 7 which documents planned disruptive engineering work. The period April to September 2027 is "final" (but still subject to changes!) and October 2027 to March 2028 is in the stage before draft.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

The 1985 blockade took six weeks.

That was my recollection too. Got some rare track in on that one.

 

[Vexed]

The EAS is here or the National Access Planning Maps can also be found on my website.

Operational Rules - Network Rail

The Engineering Access Statement (EAS) and the Timetable Planning Rules (TPR) are collectively referred to as the Operational Rules.

www.networkrail.co.uk

EAS Maps - Full Screen - Vail Data

vaildata.uk

 

[Rail Ranger]

Thanks Vexed.

 

[Sir Felix Pole]

The 1891 roof is a typical LNW utilitarian lash-up of no architectural merit and in bad condition. It would be great if it could be replaced by a modern structure which would enhance the (listed) 1867 platform buildings. I suspect the planned work is rather more limited, unfortunately.

 

[Royston Vasey]

The 1891 roof is a typical LNW utilitarian lash-up of no architectural merit and in bad condition. It would be great if it could be replaced by a modern structure which would enhance the (listed) 1867 platform buildings. I suspect the planned work is rather more limited, unfortunately.

I think we'd have seen plans and a year or two more of design and engineering tenders, proposals and contracts if it was anything ambitious.

Well I hope they don't butcher it too much. A lot of us will be very sad when it is modernised, it will lose so much charm, authenticity and history.

I think we have a couple of decades before it gets the full clinical charmless Reading-style concrete and glass bus station treatment, maybe less if HS2 is revived. It'll be desperately sad when it does.

 

[Starmill]

Talk on WNXX of a month-long blockade at Crewe station next year with diversions via the Independent lines. Does anyone know more? Is it in connection with the renewal of the roof? There are rumours of resignalling but that sounds unlikely (to me). Unless others know more? I know that Crewe-Cheadle Hulme is to be re-signalled next year with replacement of the existing signal heads and the replacement of the Ansaldo kit more generally.

Yes Transport for Wales are definitely looking to divert via the Independent lines.

 

[midland1]

Might it be just the roofs at the south end of plats. 5 and 6 which have had no panels for a few years now these were put in the late 50s early 60s.

 

[The Planner]

There's a 3 month closure in the EAS of platform 6 and the down slow from June to August and then 3 months for platform 5 and the up slow (Sept to Nov). This is not final and some engineering work will be cancelled/scope changed/moved. There are also some 9 day full station closures.

These are both listed as canopy works.

The Draft Advance Register of Possessions should release tomorrow for the Oct 2027 to March 2028 period so there might be an update/changes when that's released.

EAS - Engineering Access Statement, specially Section 7 which documents planned disruptive engineering work. The period April to September 2027 is "final" (but still subject to changes!) and October 2027 to March 2028 is in the stage before draft.

The blockades won't change.

 

[Peter0124]

Yes Transport for Wales are definitely looking to divert via the Independent lines.

I assume Avanti will aswell or will they be sent via Manchester

 

[The Planner]

Yes Transport for Wales are definitely looking to divert via the Independent lines.

And others.

Talk on WNXX of a month-long blockade at Crewe station next year, with diversions via the Independent lines. Does anyone know more?

Is it in connection with the renewal of the roof? There are rumours of resignalling but that sounds unlikely (to me). Unless others know more?

I know that Crewe-Cheadle Hulme is to be re-signalled next year with replacement of the existing signal heads and the replacement of the Ansaldo kit more generally.

No resignalling of the station. Its all junction renewals and roof work.

 

[Rail Ranger]

Thanks Planner.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

I assume Avanti will as well or will they be sent via Manchester

Both I bet.

 

[Trackman]

I assume Avanti will aswell or will they be sent via Manchester

I've never had a 390 on the avoiding lines, something to look into nearer the time.

 

[craigybagel]

Talk on WNXX of a month-long blockade at Crewe station next year, with diversions via the Independent lines. Does anyone know more?

Is it in connection with the renewal of the roof? There are rumours of resignalling but that sounds unlikely (to me). Unless others know more?

The 1891 roof is a typical LNW utilitarian lash-up of no architectural merit and in bad condition. It would be great if it could be replaced by a modern structure which would enhance the (listed) 1867 platform buildings. I suspect the planned work is rather more limited, unfortunately.

I think we'd have seen plans and a year or two more of design and engineering tenders, proposals and contracts if it was anything ambitious.

Well I hope they don't butcher it too much. A lot of us will be very sad when it is modernised, it will lose so much charm, authenticity and history.

I think we have a couple of decades before it gets the full clinical charmless Reading-style concrete and glass bus station treatment, maybe less if HS2 is revived. It'll be desperately sad when it does.

As I understand things, it's mostly demolition of the roofs at the South end of the platforms rather than renewal or replacement.

I know that Crewe-Cheadle Hulme is to be re-signalled next year with replacement of the existing signal heads and the replacement of the Ansaldo kit more generally.

Sadly we have to wait a little longer for that particular work - even though it needed doing yesterday....

Before the 1985 Crewe blockade there was absolutely loads of advance warning so I would be surprised if there was not loads this time too.

Yes Transport for Wales are definitely looking to divert via the Independent lines.

There is a team working on the logistics for TfW at the moment. There's not just the challenges of running trains over the independents to deal with, but also depot access. It's going to be an interesting one.

 

[Sir Felix Pole]

I think we'd have seen plans and a year or two more of design and engineering tenders, proposals and contracts if it was anything ambitious.

Well I hope they don't butcher it too much. A lot of us will be very sad when it is modernised, it will lose so much charm, authenticity and history.

I think we have a couple of decades before it gets the full clinical charmless Reading-style concrete and glass bus station treatment, maybe less if HS2 is revived. It'll be desperately sad when it does.

Well, as a regular patron of Crewe over many years the 'charm' has somewhat dulled - leaking roof, lashed up canopy supports next to the through roads, stinking Gents toilets - I could go on! I think removing the 1891 'accretions' and a new roof on the 1867 wing walls would be a vast improvement. As you say, however, it is probably just a minor tart-up

 

[SCDR_WMR]

Well, as a regular patron of Crewe over many years the 'charm' has somewhat dulled - leaking roof, lashed up canopy supports next to the through roads, stinking Gents toilets - I could go on! I think removing the 1891 'accretions' and a new roof on the 1867 wing walls would be a vast improvement. As you say, however, it is probably just a minor tart-up

Should be a full south end canopy removal. Not sure there is funding or a plan to replace or extend it, which is what is required

 

[TheSmiths82]

I've never had a 390 on the avoiding lines, something to look into nearer the time.

Happened to me a few years ago, there was some issue via Crewe to Wilmslow so the 390 ended up being diverted via a single track line from memory (my memory might be wrong!) , although I am surprised that was electrified and could handle the amount of current a 390 could draw. I will have to check my FB memories but I know at the time a friend that knows a lot more about trains than me said it was a very very rare event.

 

[Geeves]

A suppose a few positive things that have happened since the 80s is that electric traction has the option now of via Manchester and various different exits onto the WCML including Wigan NW

I think maybe the signalling works comments may be getting confused with other works going on on the line from Chester to Crewe, recontrol to the ROC? But not Chester itself.

@Vexed your website is really excellent by the way thank you! Just lost an hour.

 

[Freightmaster]

...recontrol to the ROC? But not Chester itself.

I understand that Chester PSB is being upgraded next year, with the panel
replaced by VDU workstations.

 

[Geeves]

After recent events that can only be seen as a good thing!

Cheers!

 

[M60lad]

Are the independent lines actually cleared for passenger services and are train crews passed out on them? Also I thought there was a speed limit through the Independent Lines so won't this affect how many services can actually use them?

 

[The Planner]

Happened to me a few years ago, there was some issue via Crewe to Wilmslow so the 390 ended up being diverted via a single track line from memory (my memory might be wrong!) , although I am surprised that was electrified and could handle the amount of current a 390 could draw. I will have to check my FB memories but I know at the time a friend that knows a lot more about trains than me said it was a very very rare event.

I would be surprised if you did, no Avanti drivers sign the Independents?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 14 Aug 2026 ==

Are the independent lines actually cleared for passenger services and are train crews passed out on them? Also I thought there was a speed limit through the Independent Lines so won't this affect how many services can actually use them?

Yes when they got resignalled 18 months ago. No one signs them, but you just get pilots in. Speed makes no difference, capacity with all the freight will.

 

[Rail Ranger]

Happened to me a few years ago, there was some issue via Crewe to Wilmslow so the 390 ended up being diverted via a single track line from memory (my memory might be wrong!) , although I am surprised that was electrified and could handle the amount of current a 390 could draw. I will have to check my FB memories but I know at the time a friend that knows a lot more about trains than me said it was a very very rare event.

Was the train perhaps diverted via the Alsager line, part of which is single track?

 

[TheSmiths82]

Was the train perhaps diverted via the Alsager line, part of which is single track?

That sounds about right, at the time I was moaning about the 55 minute delay because it was short of a full delay repay and I was late for the pub. My mate told me I should be grateful for getting the chance to travel on such an unusual detour!