Network Rail has announced that an £18 million project aimed at increasing train speeds on the West Coast Main Line will go ahead this summer.

The work will involve replacing four life-expired junctions and relaying three miles of track between July 13th and 21st.

Trains will be unable to use the Warrington to Preston route on an 18-mile stretch of line near Wigan when the job is being done. Train operators will make alternative arrangements for affected passengers.

Dyan Crowther, route managing director at Network Rail, said the "significant investment" will improve the reliability and punctuality of services.

"It became apparent that undertaking this vital investment in nine consecutive days in July would, overall, cause less disruption," she remarked.

Last week, the company revealed that a £250 million scheme to remove a bottleneck on the West Coast Main Line in the Stafford area had commenced and it is hoped that the work will eventually allow operators to add more train services.