Over the first weekend of January, train services on the southern part of the East Coast Main Line via Peterborough, and across Great Northern routes are likely to be disrupted whilst a new signalling system is tested and new lineside equipment and technology is installed.

The work will take place over the weekend of 7th and 8th January. In the Wood Green-New Barnet area, a new signalling system is being tested in readiness for introduction of digital signalling to the area, which will reduce the number of faults suffered by the current system.

At the same time, between Welwyn Garden City and Hitchin new lineside equipment and technology is being installed in preparation for this section of the East Coast Main Line to become the first to operate with digital signalling.

The work is all part of the Government-funded transformational East Coast Digital Programme (ECDP), which aims to boost reliability and allow faster recovery from service disruptions. Passengers will benefit from better and more punctual services. As part of the new technology, drivers will receive continuous, real-time information in their cabs.

The effect on services over the weekend 7th and 8th January is as follows:

• no train services will run between St, Neots, Royston and London;
• rail replacement bus services will serve intermediate stations between St Neots, Royston and Finsbury Park;
• a reduced LNER service will start and terminate at St Neots or Peterborough;
• Thameslink will operate a limited shuttle service between Peterborough and St Neots;
• rail-replacement coaches will operate between St Neots and Bedford where passengers can connect to Thameslink services to London St Pancras;
• Hull Trains will operate a reduced service via the Midland Main Line into London St Pancras, but with extended journey times;
• Great Northern will run trains between Royston, Cambridge, Ely, and Kings Lynn ;
• rail replacement bus services will operate from selected Great Northern stations to connect with Thameslink services from Bedford to London St Pancras;
• no Great Northern services will operate on the Hertford branch between Stevenage and Alexandra Palace, with stations being served by rail replacement bus services;
• there will be no services on the Moorgate branch.

Ed Akers, Principal Programme Sponsor, Network Rail, said: “The work taking place in early January is an essential early stage towards delivering the transformation of a digitally signalled East Coast Main Line.  This will create better journeys on a state-of-the-art, reliable railway, whilst reducing emissions and providing further safety protection.
“We are sorry for the disruption that this will cause passengers, and I urge people to plan ahead and check before you travel”.

David Horne, Managing Director, LNER, said: “We welcome this investment in a vital project that will bring numerous benefits for our customers. It will take our railway into a digital age, helping to transform customer journeys and make rail travel even smoother, more punctual, and more sustainable.”

Jenny Saunders, Customer Services Director, Thameslink and Great Northern, said: “With no trains into London on the Peterborough and Cambridge routes south of St Neots and Royston, as well as the Hertford branch, on the weekend of 7 and 8 January, passengers will really have to plan carefully to avoid being caught out.

“In the long term, the new digital signalling system being installed will give our customers better, more reliable journeys but in the short term, on this weekend and another in February, journeys will take much longer and probably involve a rail replacement bus.

“Please plan ahead and check online at nationalrail.co.uk to see how you will be affected.”