Passengers using the Northern City Line are being advised to plan travel ahead during April and May as testing and commissioning of new signalling equipment is carried out

The work will be carried out on Saturday the 9th and Sunday the 10th of April and also over the Early May Bank Holiday from Saturday the 30th of April to Monday the 2nd of May inclusive.

The first part of the planned work will see rigorous testing of the new digital signalling equipment ahead of being commissioned during the bank holiday weekend.

The work comes as part of the East Coast Digital Programme and will mean the introduction of digital signalling for the Northern City Line which operates between Moorgate and Finsbury Park.

The new signalling equipment for the route will mean signallers can communicate with the very latest in-cab technology on trains and can respond in real-time which will bring improved reliability and reductions in delays making for a more modern and reliable railway for passengers.

In order for the work to be carried out safely, it needs to be carried out whilst no passenger services are in operation which means that on the dates mentioned above, no trains will operate between Finsbury Park and Moorgate and as an alternative, trains to and from Moorgate will be diverted to London King’s Cross.

Due to the changes in travel, passengers are being advised to give plenty of time for the journeys and also to check ahead of travelling via National Rail Enquiries or http://greatnorthernrail.com

Toufic Machnouk, Network Rail’s Director, Industry Partnership Digital, said: “This is an important step forward on the East Coast Digital Programme as it brings us closer to delivering more reliable journeys on this route.

“Testing and commissioning the new equipment is a key part of this upgrade, but it does mean changes to services in April and May. We’re sorry for any inconvenience which this causes and we’d encourage passengers to check their journey ahead of time.”

Jenny Saunders, Customer Services Director for Thameslink and Great Northern, said “While Moorgate trains are diverted to King’s Cross, customers can use their tickets on London Underground between the two terminals.

“We thank our passengers for their understanding while Network Rail takes the next big step in creating a modern, more reliable railway on this important route. People returning to rail travel can be confident that we continue to treat all our trains and stations regularly with a powerful virucide for long-lasting protection.”