
Nobody likes it when the railway is closed for engineering work. But insight from passengers reveals they are far more willing to accept such closures if they are well organised and well communicated.
Traditionally, the railway has made use of weekends, particularly bank holidays, and the extended period at Christmas to carry out major work. But the Covid pandemic has changed travel patterns – although commuting remains crucial to the railway, leisure travel and the discretionary market have become more important, making weekend and holiday closures less palatable.