Engineering Works Timing

[modernrail]

NR always say in their press releases that there is never a good time…but Easter (Christmas) etc are always the quietest time.

I have never really believed that for long distance services. I have had to travel a LOT from south to north at Easter and Christmas, have often been screwed by engineering works yet when the trains are running found myself on a very packed service. Sometimes hideously packed.

Is this NR statement taking a average load across all services? If so, yes commuter services will be down but long distance might be level or up. Bearing in mind how important, socially, it is for people to travel at major holidays to see loved ones or to have a break from very hectic lives, should the railway distinguish more between engineering works on commuter lines and works on long distance/leisure lines?

Take this Easter. Absolute travel chaos, roads going to be busier than at any time since RAC records began and loads of railway shut down.

 

[zwk500]

See this thread: https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/timing-of-engneering-works.229757/

Pre-covid Long distance services across the day are generally quieter yes, because you don't have the AM Peak commuters and business travel on bank holidays. I suspect the pickup in leisure travel generally didn't cover that dropoff.
Network Rail is obliged by contractual agreements to avoid Monday to Friday daytimes for engineering works. Easter represents one of only 2 periods in the year when it can normally get access to the railway for 4 days in a row. Recently there has been a shift to doing works in week-long blockades during half terms and the like, but long-term post-covid trends are still unknown so it's difficult to start shifting work around now. Especially as engineering works are planned a couple of years in advance.

 

[modernrail]

See this thread: https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/timing-of-engneering-works.229757/

Pre-covid Long distance services across the day are generally quieter yes, because you don't have the AM Peak commuters and business travel on bank holidays. I suspect the pickup in leisure travel generally didn't cover that dropoff.
Network Rail is obliged by contractual agreements to avoid Monday to Friday daytimes for engineering works. Easter represents one of only 2 periods in the year when it can normally get access to the railway for 4 days in a row. Recently there has been a shift to doing works in week-long blockades during half terms and the like, but long-term post-covid trends are still unknown so it's difficult to start shifting work around now. Especially as engineering works are planned a couple of years in advance.

Thank you. Feel free to delete this thread Mods.