Engineering work over the weekend and through the Christmas period has seen headway made for the East Coast Digital Programme.

The East Coast Digital Programme aims to provide continuous real-time information directly to the driver’s cab, work carried out during the weekend and through the Christmas period will support the latest in digital signalling. The programme celebrated a year of breakthrough delivery last month whic saw a visit from Rail Minister Huw Merriman to London King’s Cross.

The impressive technology will improve the reliability of the railways alongside supporting green travel for both passengers and freight into the future.

Testing of a new signalling system for the Wood Green-New Barnet areas in North London has been a great success and will also support preparations for its future move to digital signalling.

The installation of new lineside equipment and technology has also taken place between Welwyn Garden City and Hitchen, this section of the route is set to be the very first part of the East Coast Main Line which will work using digital signalling.

The recent segment of work also saw the installation of 120 axle counters and 40 balises, which are electric devices seated between rails and transmit information both to and from the train.

Further planned work will take place at both locations on Saturday the 18th and Sunday the 19th of February. During this time no rail services will be able to operate either in or out of London King’s Cross and St. Pancras via Finsbury Park or Moorgate.

Ed Akers, Principal Programme Sponsor for ECDP, Network Rail said: “As we begin a New Year we’re continuing the work with all our industry partners towards the prize of a modernised, more reliable and greener railway.

“I’d like to thank passengers for their patience while this vital work was carried out, which is enabling further progress on the journey to a digitally signalled East Coast Main Line.  I also advise passengers intending to travel over the weekend of 18/19 February to plan ahead and check before you travel, while we continue to work on digital upgrades.”

Jenny Saunders, Customer Services Director, Thameslink and Great Northern, said: “I’m sorry that, on top of the strikes that affected so many of our customers, we also had to replace much of our service last weekend with buses for this planned essential work. However, the end goal will be worth it: digital signalling will give us all a better, more reliable railway between London and Peterborough.”

David Horne, Managing Director at LNER, said: “The East Coast Digital Programme is taking our railway into a digital age. It will transform journeys for passengers by making them even smoother, more punctual and more sustainable. While the upgrades may see some changes to our services during planned works, this vital investment in digital signalling will bring long-term benefits and enable our Azuma trains to realise their full potential.”

Martijn Gilbert, Managing Director of Lumo, said: “We’re very excited about the East Coast Digital Programme which will deliver a state-of-the-art railway for our customers. During these engineering works, we are working alongside Network Rail and other operators to minimise the short-term impact on customer journeys with alternative travel options. The long-term benefits will make this worthwhile and help us provide a train service that is fit for the future”.

Louise Mendham, Service Delivery Director at Hull Trains, said: “As this programme of engineering works progresses, we would encourage all customers of Hull Trains to check our website or social media pages before planning journeys as amended timetables will be operational on the days when works are taking place.”