Passengers and residents in Stone, Staffordshire, are being urged to prepare for a £7 million-plus package of railway upgrades set to improve safety, performance and long-term reliability on the West Coast Main Line.

The work, scheduled to take place during the summer school holidays, will include the refurbishment of the River Trent Viaduct, replacement of track at Stone station, and the renewal of three level crossings in the area.

To share more details with the public, Network Rail will host an information event at Stone Station Community Hall from 4pm to 6pm on Wednesday 16 July. Staff will be on hand to answer questions and explain the scope of the works.

Temporary road closures will be required for the level crossing upgrades at the following locations:

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• Meaford level crossing: Closed from 9pm on Sunday 10 August until 6pm on Tuesday 12 August.

• Church Lane level crossing: Closed from 1pm on Tuesday 12 August until 12pm on Thursday 14 August. Pedestrian access will be maintained, but vehicles will be restricted.

• Aston-by-Stone level crossing: Closed from 7am on Thursday 14 August until 8am on Saturday 16 August.

Meanwhile, further north, a major bridge replacement in Stockport will mean no trains running through the area between 2 August and the morning of 23 August 2025. The work will involve replacing the bridge that carries the Greek Street roundabout over the railway.

As a result, passengers travelling between Colwich and Manchester Piccadilly are advised to check their journeys in advance, as some services will be diverted and others replaced with buses. Information is available at nationalrail.co.uk.

Zayn Sattar, scheme project manager for Network Rail, said: "This major programme of investment into the West Coast Main Line will help us deliver a safer, more reliable railway for passengers and our communities. By tackling structural issues, renewing track and upgrading level crossings, we're protecting the future of the railway and reducing the risk of disruption.

"We've written to local people in Stone about the work and are asking passengers to check before they travel this August. I'd like to thank everyone for their patience while we carry out these vital upgrades."