Rail passengers from Northampton travelling north via Rugby are being urged to plan ahead as major work will disrupt West Coast Main Line services over two weekends in October.

Network Rail is carrying out track renewals between Rugby and Stafford on Saturday, October 10 and Sunday, October 11, and again on Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18.

The work is particularly relevant to Northampton passengers making longer-distance journeys north and connecting at Rugby, with no trains running between Rugby and Stafford via Nuneaton during either weekend.

Avanti West Coast and London Northwestern Railway will operate reduced and amended timetables, while replacement buses will serve Trent Valley stations between Rugby and Stafford.

Some Avanti services will be diverted through the West Midlands, while passengers have been warned that journeys to and from London Euston will take longer.

HS2 construction work will also take place outside Euston during the two weekends.

Gary Walsh, Network Rail’s West Coast South route director, said renewing ageing track would help provide “a more reliable railway with fewer delays for years to come”.

Passengers travelling from Northampton who intend to connect with affected West Coast Main Line services are advised to allow extra time and check their journey before setting off.