Rail passengers in Nantwich have been left high and dry for a week with all services between Crewe and Shrewsbury cancelled for engineering work.
Services stopped on Saturday (November 28) and will not be back on until Monday December 7.
Hundreds of Nantwich residents have been forced to take replacement buses or other means of transport to get to Crewe or Shrewsbury.
And passengers with dogs, cycles, prams and large items of luggage are not allowed replacement bus services.
The line closure has been made to allow Network Rail to carry out signalling works in the Gresty Lane area.
Yesterday (November 30) and today, buses have replaced trains between Shrewsbury and Crewe with trains diverted via Wrexham.
On Wednesday, Thursday, Friday this week, buses will replace trains between Nantwich and Crewe with some trains diverted via Wrexham.
Some customers have complained at lack of advance information.
One said on Twitter: “It’s not the easiest info to find on the Arriva website. Nearly had a wasted walk to the station this morning.”
Another added: “People need to know why the Nantwich-Manchester train has been off for two days! Many people use this train to get to/from work.”
Martin Bond, Chairman Crewe and Shrewsbury Passengers Association, said: “It depends which direction you’re going in.
“From Wednesday trains will be running to Shrewsbury but it will still be a bus replacement to Crewe
“At least this time passengers were warned by notices on the platform during last week.
“Last month there were temporary changes for a week due to a knock on effect of engineering work between Shrewsbury and Chester. No warning was given for that at all.”
Network Rail says modernising signalling equipment on the line between Shrewsbury and Crewe will give passengers a safer and more punctual service.
Paul Danks, project manager for Network Rail, said: “The railway is vital to the region’s economic health, so it’s equally vital we continue to invest to make services better for passengers.
“The work we’re carrying out as part of our Railway Upgrade Plan will see us replace old, outdated equipment to provide safer, more reliable train services for people in the region.
“This is essential work and I thank passengers in advance for their patience while it takes place.”
Arriva Trains Wales said: “At times it is unavoidable that Network Rail infrastructure improvement works may affect some of our services, meaning alterations to the scheduled timetables.
“Arriva Trains Wales and Network Rail apologise for any inconvenience that these temporary alterations may cause.
“We advise passengers intending to travel to enquire before starting their journey for full details of altered trains, onward connections and additional road transport.
“Details of alterations can be obtained below or from your local staffed booking office.”
For details on Planned Service Alterations and changes to timetables on other train operators can be found by contacting National Rail Enquiries on 03457 484950 or by visiting www.nationalrail.co.uk
Meanwhile, Arriva Trains Wales has also urged customers a new winter timetable kicks in from December 13.
Changes on the South Wales – North Wales – Manchester (Timetable 2) service, will see some Sunday services between Crewe and Manchester stopping at Alderley Edge.
These include the 09:28 (Sun) Crewe to Manchester Piccadilly, 15:13 (Sun) Milford Haven to Manchester Piccadilly, 09:30 (Sun) Manchester Piccadilly to Cardiff Central, and the 22:35 (Sun) Manchester Piccadilly to Crewe.
Lynne Milligan, Customer Services Director, said: “For the new timetable we have listened to our customers and stakeholders and have provided, where possible, additional services or stops for communities where our train service provides a vital connection for both work and leisure activities.”
“We have also worked closely with Network Rail, who are currently implementing a programme of essential improvement works and investment across our network.”
You can view Journey Check service www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/check
We have given up going anywhere by train now, far too unreliable, confusing and grubby.
When I checked the Arriva Trains Wales (ATW) website on Sunday night for train times on Monday, two different links took me to two completely different timetables. nationalrail.co.uk gave me the correct times.
The ATW website did have a page explaining the disruption but not everybody would see that.
The punctuality of the replacement buses at Nantwich varied (as you might expect on a journey starting at Shrewsbury).
Conclusion : Room for improvement.
I concur with you Malcolm.
AP strikes me as a bit of a know-all.
I’m hardly a know-all. I am just someone who uses the train regularly, and noticed the various places the closure was advertised.
The national rail enquiries website and app have had information on it for weeks. There are also posters at every station. It wasn’t hard to find out about this. And the part about not being able to carry luggage is nonsense. The drivers have been quite happy to put suitcases, and even on Sunday a bike, in the luggage compartment of the coach. Yes it takes longer than the train, but it’s not surprising given that the buses have to go down tiny single track roads to get to some of the stations.