Rail users are being warned of large-scale closures on the rail network over the Easter weekend for engineering work.

Whereas road works are suspended to allow motorists to travel at Easter, Network Rail is making it more difficult for many people to travel by train over the weekend of 21 to 24 March.

Reporter Rhodri Clark of the Western Mail has discovered that all main rail routes between Wales and London will be closed on the first holiday weekend of 2008.

Services to and from London’s Liverpool Street station will also be badly affected for four days over Easter.

Clair Thomas, of the Highways Agency, said: “We’re lifting as many roadworks as we can. We will be looking at what we can suspend roadworks between Maundy Thursday and midnight Bank Holiday Monday.

“We lift roadworks for holiday weekends because we feel it’s a time when a lot of people want to get away. We’re avoiding causing hold-ups.”

But Iain Coucher, Network Rail’s chief executive, said: “Around 6,000 engineers will be working day and night to meet demands for a better railway from the travelling public.

“Because of the volume of work this Easter, we’re advising people to double check their travel plans.”

Carmarthenshire Tourist Association, representing 300 hospitality businesses, said many people would come from southern England to West Wales at Easter. Manager Nia Ball said: “It’s a shame if people are put off by having to get on the buses.”

By contrast many volunteer steam railways will be running extra services over Easter. More information: Preserved railways

Details of National Rail services affected by engineering work over Easter: National Rail

More information on Wales: Western Mail

More information on Liverpool Street: Liverpool Street