Passengers planning journeys to stations in Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire early next month are asked to plan ahead as signal modernisation work will mean some disruption.

No trains will be calling at 16 stations on Sunday 3 December as work in connection with the East Coast Digital Programme (ECDP) takes place.  As a result of the work, more reliable journeys can be anticipated on Thameslink and Great Northern services.

The following stations will be affected:

• Arlesey
• Ashwell and Morden
• Baldock
• Biggleswade
• Foxton
• Letchworth Garden City
• Meldreth
• Royston
• Sandy
• Shepreth
• Brookmans Park
• Hatfield
• Knebworth
• Watton-at-Stone
• Welham Green
• Welwyn North

Sarah Collett, 54, is a digital systems project manager and part of a dedicated team working on the ECDP.

Sarah said: “I first joined the railway in 1986 when I was just 17 thinking it would be a stopgap, but I really loved it and started working my way up from there. I’ve done all sorts over the years from working in the ticket office to managing stations and then becoming the manager of the distribution centre in Letchworth Garden City.

“In 2022 I joined the ECDP team, which was a brilliant opportunity to be part of a project that is revolutionising train travel. I’m now responsible for planning, developing and controlling how we deliver the programme, which will see traditional lineside signals replaced by digital signalling.

“We are helping to make the railway fit for the future and our next big milestone is Sunday 3 December. In order to carry out improvement works, there will unfortunately be limited or no service in many areas on the East Coast Main Line. We’re getting the message out now so our customers can plan ahead.

“I’m really enjoying working being a part of the ECDP because no day is the same and I get to collaborate with industry partners, including other passenger operators like LNER, freight operators and Network Rail, as it’s such a major project.”