Rail passengers face repeat of New Year's chaos as Network Rail closes for Easter

And after the serious New Year work overruns, NR is under intense pressure to ensure this next batch of bank holiday projects are completed on time.

The worst of the three overruns over Christmas and the New Year was on the West Coast line at Rugby in the West Midlands.

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Further work is scheduled for this section over Easter, with Euston station in London being closed to Virgin West Coast services on Easter Saturday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday.

A number of the other train companies will have altered service levels over Easter as well, including East Coast Main Line operator National Express.

Services running through the country's largest railway station - Clapham Junction in south London - will also be affected by a major project to renew track in the area.

Another of the engineering overruns at the New Year was at Liverpool Street station in London.

Easter work will also be going on there, which will affect National Express East Anglia services.

NR chief executive Iain Coucher said: "While we know that our plans affect passengers' plans, the demands on our rail network are growing and we need to invest to deliver a better service for everyone.

"Our challenge is to do this invisibly - to get in, rip up the old railway, put in a new better one - and then get out on time, while causing the least amount of disruption possible."

He went on: "The vast majority of the railway is open for business this Easter, but our investment programme will impact services on some major routes, such as the West Coast Main Line.

"Passengers are strongly advised to check before travelling.

"Following the New Year, we have listened to passengers and those who represent them and now our planning and preparation is more robust than ever.

"Each project is an immense engineering challenge in its own right, and Network Rail is absolutely determined to deliver a safe and reliable railway back to passengers and freight users at the promised time.

"Because of the volume of work on some key routes this Easter, we're advising people to double check their travel plans.

"We'll be working hand-in-hand with the train operating companies and National Rail Enquiries to make sure that the very latest information is available."

Anthony Smith, chief executive of rail customer watchdog body Passenger Focus, said: "Passengers recognise the works are necessary for delivering improvements to their service.

"As long as passengers are able to easily access information and plan their journeys, they will be more understanding of the short term inconvenience.

"However, Network Rail must keep its promises and complete work on schedule."

NR was fined a record £14 million by the Office of Rail Regulation for the New Year overruns.