Volcanic ash cloud update: Network Rail to keep lines open for Stansted Airport passengers trying to

NETWORK RAIL will be keeping the rail lines serving London s airports open around the clock tonight to help get stranded air passengers home.  Weekend engineering work on the Anglo-Scottish routes – the east and west coast main lines – has also been canc

NETWORK RAIL will be keeping the rail lines serving London's airports open around the clock tonight to help get stranded air passengers home.

Weekend engineering work on the Anglo-Scottish routes - the east and west coast main lines - has also been cancelled to enable more direct services to run.

Network Rail's director of operations and customer services, Robin Gisby, said: "Network Rail and the train operators are doing all we can to help get people home following the unprecedented air travel chaos.

"The main lines to Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports will be opened round the clock tonight in an effort to speed people on their way."

Network Rail and the train operators are working closely to run as many extra services as it can around the clock from the London airports into central London.

Paddington, Liverpool Street, Victoria and Gatwick - some of Network Rail's, and the UK's, biggest and busiest stations - will also stay open around the clock tonight.

Network Rail will be drafting in scores of extra staff at these stations to provide help and assistance to weary passengers. Network Rail is also talking to retailers at these stations about extending their opening hours to assist late arriving passengers.

The rail industry has already laid on tens of thousands of extra seats since the air travel restrictions kicked in almost a week ago. Services from ports and on the West and East Coast Main Lines have been very busy and are expected to continue into the weekend.