RAIL journeys from Chester to Manchester and Liverpool are being affected by bridge repairs this week.

Changes to journeys between Chester, Warrington and Manchester and Liverpool via Runcorn have been changed week due to essential repairs to the Runcorn Bridge, Network Rail has confirmed.

The firm is carrying out the important upgrades to two structures to make future rail travel more reliable.

This means the Warford Farm bridge and Watercourse bridge are being strengthened, waterproofed, with overgrown plants removed and brickwork repaired.

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The scale of the work means the railway is currently entirely closed to trains between until Sunday, November 19.

Passengers will be kept on the move by rail replacement bus services but are being advised to check before they travel at www.nationalrail.co.uk, and allow extra time for their journeys.

William Brandon, Network Rail project manager, said: “We know there’s never an ideal time to close the railway so I’d like to thank people for their patience while we carry out these essential upgrades to two railway bridges.

“The scale of these projects means there will be disruption to trains through the area involved this week. We’ve worked closely with all train operators on plans to keep passengers on the move, and I’d urge people to plan ahead by checking National Rail Enquiries, so they know what to expect from their individual journey.”

For more information on how Network Rail maintains its bridges, you can visit: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/looking-after-the-railway/bridges-tunnels-and-viaducts/