Christmas rail engineering work will close two of Britain's busiest stations for days over the festive period, as Network Rail carries out a £152 million programme of upgrades. Birmingham New Street will have no trains from Thursday 24 December to Monday 28 December inclusive, with a full timetable returning on Tuesday 29 December.

What closes, and when

At New Street, the closure allows the first phase of a three-year renewal of overhead power supplies on the approaches to and through the station, alongside track and junction renewal at Soho. Replacement buses will serve the city centre while no trains run to, from or through the station.

At London Paddington, engineering work at Dolphin Junction near Slough will significantly affect journeys from Sunday 27 December until Sunday 3 January. Great Western Railway trains will not reach Paddington until 4 January 2027, while Heathrow Express and Elizabeth line services to Heathrow return on 31 December. The Elizabeth line will continue to serve Paddington's low-level platforms except on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, when, as every year, there are no trains.

Elsewhere on the network

Other closures include the Great Eastern Main Line at Forest Gate, closed for ten days from Christmas Day, and work around Huddersfield that disrupts services until 1 February 2027. Network Rail says most routes will remain open outside the usual Christmas Day and Boxing Day shutdown, but passengers travelling over the festive period are advised to check their journeys before travelling and allow extra time.