Train services through York are likely to be severely disrupted this Christmas because of vital track improvements taking place around York railway station.

In a £6million investment, between Christmas Eve, Saturday 24th December and Monday, 2nd January, 2.7km of track and nine sets of points will be renewed. At the same time, signalling equipment will be renewed and specialist heaters will be installed on the track to help melt snow and ice during winter conditions so that trains can continue running reliably.

The Christmas period has been chosen for the work as it is generally the least disruptive for passengers, but anybody who does intend to travel during this time should check before they travel on Network Rail’s dedicated webpage about the upgrade. The work, once completed, will provide passengers with a more modern and reliable railway, smoother journeys. and less likelihood of delays.

As well as the engineering work over Christmas, planned industrial action in the next two will also adversely affect train services, with RMT set to take strike action on 13th, 14th, 16th, and 17th December and 3rd, 4th, 6th, and 7th January. Updates about the industrial action can be found at networkrail.co.uk/industrial-action.

With the disruption to services over Christmas, passengers should plan ahead via National Rail Enquiries or with their train operator. Some bus replacement services will be in place, as well as diversion routes, with journeys expected to take longer than usual.

Also taking place during the Christmas period is major work between York, Leeds, Huddersfield and Manchester as part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade and a £5.1m upgrade to Manchester Piccadilly’s busiest platforms.

The latest travel information about travel during this period can e obtained from National Rail Enquiries at https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/ or train operators’ websites:

• LNER: Live train journey planner at https://www.lner.co.uk/travel-information/travelling-later/journey-planner/;
• TransPennine Express at tpexpress.co.uk;
• CrossCountry Trains at crosscountrytrains.co.uk;
• Grand Central Rail at https://www.grandcentralrail.com/;
• Northern Trains at northernrailway.co.uk.

Sam MacDougall, Operations Director for Network Rail’s East Coast route said: “Our teams will be out working hard this Christmas to provide an improved railway for passengers.

“The work at York is crucial to keep trains running reliably and smoothly for years to come. Our engineering work and the impact of planned industrial action will mean changes to some services, so passengers are urged to plan ahead and check before travelling.”

A spokesperson on behalf of train operators on the route said: “These key upgrades at York will mean changes to services over the festive period and passengers should check their journey before travelling via National Rail Enquires or their train operator.

“We are working hard to keep people moving this Christmas, with rail replacement services and diversion routes, but this means your journey will take longer and may be busier than usual.”