Network Rail are using a 'rare' opportunity to make some improvements at Congleton station.

The Manchester spur of the West Coast Main Line is out of action for the next three weeks while the Greek Street bridge in Stockport gets replaced.

During the 21-day blockade, Network Rail will also be working on a £23 million package of improvements across the network, including here in Congleton.

A spokesperson said: "While the railway is closed to replace the Greek Street bridge in Stockport, we're upgrading the drainage in Congleton.

"This will help make services more reliable, especially during very wet weather."

The drainage in Congleton is being upgraded (Credit: Network Rail)

There will be no train services on the line between Stoke-on-Trent and Manchester Piccadilly via Congleton between August 2 and August 22.

Passengers heading to Manchester will have to travel via rail replacement bus, changing at either Macclesfield and then Stockport or Kidsgrove and then Crewe.

For those heading south, there will be a direct rail replacement bus service to Stoke-on-Trent, taking 30 minutes.

William Brandon, a project manager at Network Rail, said: "The work to strengthen Stockport is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make train journeys on the Manchester spur of the West Coast Main Line safer and more reliable.

"I understand that closing the railway through Stockport for 21 days will be inconvenient to our passengers, and I am sorry about this."