Train passengers have been advised that some services will be busier than usual over the bank holiday weekend due to record-breaking improvement works.

The routes from Sheffield and Leicester bound for London are expected to be particularly busy as services are reduced on the West Coast Main Line.

Around £133m is being spent on the national rail network over August 26-27 as, among other things, the power supply at Euston is rerouted in preparation for HS2.

Rob McIntosh, managing director of the London North Eastern and East Midlands route, said: “We are investing a record amount across the railway this August bank holiday.

“It is vital investment which will ensure that we can provide a network which meets the needs of the economies and communities our railway serves.

“We carry out major engineering projects at weekends and bank holidays where possible as this is when fewer people travel. However, we do appreciate that there’s never an ideal time to work on the railway.

“We know that there are many events going on at this time of the year and that the railway will be busy, so if you do plan on travelling by train, please make sure you plan your journey and allow extra travelling time.”

Passengers intending to use the West Coast Main Line – which runs between Glasgow, North West England and Euston – are advised against all but essential travel.

To deal with the increase in passenger numbers on East Midlands Trains, commercial director Lawrence Bowman explained that it planned to offer an extra 7,000 seats to London on August 26.