A HELPLINE handling inquiries about Railtrack's £5.8billion modernisation of the West Coast Main Line was launched this week.

The 24-hour line, 0800 085 5678, will handle queries from members of the public, local authorities and other organisations concerning the work along the 550-mile route between London Euston, Preston, Glasgow and Edinburgh.

The line, Europe's busiest mixed traffic railway, forms Britain's railway backbone, linking some of the country's biggest towns and cities.

Project manager Tony Fletcher said: "In the past 16 weeks our construction activity has really taken off, with work at more than 4,000 worksites. We wish to ensure that members of the public have access to information about when and where our contractors are working.

"The West Coast Route Modernisation (WCRM) is the most complex railway construction project in Europe. We currently have more than 7,000 members of staff working along the route. People will have a lot of questions and concerns. The helpline is there to answer those questions and address those concerns."

The WCRM programme will include track renewal, works to re-model junctions, strengthen overhead power lines and the installation of a new signalling system -- all while the line remains open.

The first phase of the modernisation is due to for completion in June 2002, when modern tilting trains reaching speeds of up to 125mph will run on the line.

New tracks will have greater capacity, a quieter and more comfortable ride.