Train operators and Network Rail are urging passengers on the East Coast Main Line not to travel from London King’s Cross on Saturday 17th, and Sunday 18 October as more work on the East Coast Upgrade is completed.

The £1.2bn East Coast Upgrade is set to transform journeys between London and Scotland and will allow more trains to run on the ECML to meet future demands.

Over the weekend of 17th/18th October, engineers will carry out tests on the new signalling system and also replace overhead wires in and around London King’s Cross.

The following changes to trains will be in place on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October:

• LNER services will start and end at St Neots
  • Coaches will run between St Neots and Bedford where  passengers can use Thameslink and East Midlands Railway services to and from London St Pancras.
• No Great Northern or Thameslink trains will run into King’s Cross, Moorgate or St Pancras International via Finsbury Park.
  • A limited bus service will run between Potters Bar and St Albans, where passengers can connect with services and from London St Pancras.
• On the Hertford North line, all stations between Gordon Hill and Alexandra Palace will be served by a bus.
• Hull Trains services will be subject to alteration over the weekend.
• Grand Central will have no services operating throughout the weekend.
  • 17:30 Sunderland to London King’s Cross on Friday 16 October, and 08:27 London Kings Cross to Sunderland on Monday 19 October will not run.

Ed Akers, Principal Programme Sponsor for Network Rail, said: “We’re making good progress on the project to improve access into and out of King’s Cross. Unfortunately, while a lot of the work is being carried out with no disruption to passengers, some key activities just cannot be done safely while trains are running.

“On Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October we need to make changes to the signalling and power lines, and we can only do that by stopping trains coming in and out of the station. We’re advising people not to travel to London over the weekend, but those who do need to should check their journeys via National Rail Enquiries, at EastCoastUpgrade.co.uk or with their train operator and allow plenty of time.

“Thank you for your continued patience as we progress with these vital improvements.”

A spokesperson on behalf of train operators on the route said: “We would like to thank our passengers for their patience whilst this essential work is carried out in and around King’s Cross over the weekend.

“We are asking people not to travel to or from London on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October. Replacement services will be running for those making essential journeys, but these are expected to be busy, and journeys will take significantly longer.”

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