Passengers travelling on the Northern City and East Coast Main Line are being advised to plan journeys ahead by Network Rail, Great Northern and Thameslink

As the East Coast Digital Programme moves into its next stage, the innovative project will see more signalling equipment installed on the Northern City Line between Finsbury Park and Moorgate.

The new equipment will be fully tested ahead of commissioning and once in use will mean signallers can communicate with up to the minute in-cab technology onboard trains providing real-time responses. The ability to respond in real-time will increase reliability and cut delays whilst bringing an improved railway for passengers.

The huge project will also mean better safety for rail workers bringing a reduction in time spent on track repairing equipment or maintaining the railway.

Engineering Teams will also be upgrading tracks and installing new signalling equipment between Hatfield and Knebworth on the East Coast Main Line.

To allow this essential work to take place safely, changes to weekend services are being put in place for Great Northern and Thameslink passengers through February and March 2022 and are as follows:

Changes to Northern City Line Weekend Services:

• 12th and 13th February and 12th, 13th and 20th March, no trains will run between Finsbury Park and Moorgate.
• Trains to and from Moorgate will be diverted into London King’s Cross.

Changes to East Coast Main Line Weekend Services:

• 20th and 27th February and 6th,13th, 20th and 27th March, trains between London and Cambridge/King’s Lynn/Peterborough will run to a revised timetable
• These services will be diverted via Hertford North – although not all will stop there
• Buses will replace trains between Alexandra Palace and Stevenage via Welwyn Garden City
• Buses will also replace trains between Hertford North and Stevenage

Passengers travelling in these areas are being advised to leave plenty of extra time for the journey and to check ahead of travelling using National Rail Enquiries online planner.

Toufic Machnouk, Network Rail’s Director, Industry Partnership Digital, said:

“The work we’re carrying out over the next few months is crucial to enable us to introduce digital signalling, helping to improve journeys for passengers.”
“The nature of the work means there will be service changes and we are sorry for any impact which this has. We’d encourage all those travelling on these routes through February and March to check their journey ahead of time.”

Great Northern and Thameslink Customer Services Director, Jenny Saunders said:

“The work Network Rail is doing will help create the railway of the future, providing more reliable services for passengers and, on the East Coast Mainline, the potential for more frequent services in the future.

“Please check how your service may be affected by visiting National Rail Enquiries’ online journey planner. We’re really grateful for your patience.”