Rail passengers making their way to and from London King’s Cross and other East Coast Main Line locations via Peterborough on Saturday the 24th and Sunday the 25th of June are being advised to plan their travel ahead as work gets underway to deliver digital signalling for the route.

The work comes as part of the East Coast Digital Programme which will see the East Coast Main Line transformed by providing continuous speed-based signalling via the train driver’s in-cab screen.

The vast improvements programme will see reliability increased and carbon emissions reduced once complete. 

The weekend of the 24th and 25th of June will see preparatory work take place on the East Coast Mainline between Welwyn Garden City and Hitchin in order for the section to be readied for digital signalling in 2025.

The work will see new machinery and technology put in place.

Changes to services because of the work are as follows:

• A reduced LNER service will see trains run to and from St Neots or Peterborough. Passengers travelling onwards to London with LNER will need to use rail replacement coaches between St Neots and Bedford, where customers can connect with rail services operating between Bedford and London St Pancras.
• Hull Trains will run a reduced service using the Midland Main Line.
• Lumo services will start and end at Peterborough and will use coach services both to and from London King’s Cross.
• ​No Grand Central services will operate on either the West Riding or Northeast route, including from Sunderland to King’s Cross. Neither the last service on Friday 23 June (17.30 departure) nor the first service on Monday 25 June (06.46 departure) will operate.

Passengers should check with the rail operator (links added above) or via National Rail Enquiries to check their travel plans ahead of making a journey.

Ed Akers, Network Rail’s Principal Programme Sponsor, ECDP said: “We’re preparing the way towards Britain’s first digital signalling on an intercity mainline. Over the coming years, this will enable more reliable journeys for the millions of passengers who use the East Coast route.”

“We are sorry for the disruption that this work will cause passengers, and thank them for their patience. We advise them to plan ahead and check before they travel.”

David Horne, Managing Director at LNER, said: “This vital investment in digital signalling will enable LNER’s Azuma fleet to realise its full potential. Our Azuma train cabs are already fitted with most of the latest world-class technology in preparation for the upgrade, which will help transform customer journeys by making them even more punctual and more sustainable.”

“We recognise this important work will see some changes to our timetable over the 24 and 25 June and we advise customers to check their entire journey before travelling. In the long term, this digital transformation will be extremely beneficial for our customers.”

Martijn Gilbert, Lumo and Hull Trains Managing Director said: “The long-term benefit of the East Coast Digital Programme is undeniable for our customers, with the reliability of services along the East Coast set to be improved through the introduction of the new digital signalling.”

“We would like to apologise for any disruption that may be caused to our customers travelling throughout this time and would like to provide reassurance that we are working closely with Network Rail and fellow train operators to mitigate the impact on travel that the works may cause.”

Sean English, Grand Central Chief Operating Officer, said:“We’re pleased to see the next stage of progress taking place on the East Coast mainline, that will bring real benefits to our customers in the future, with quicker and more sustainable journeys.”