Instead of spending time with their families during the Festive period, Network Rail engineers in North Yorkshire will be will be working on a number of projects in and around York and Selby.

The work will take place between Christmas Eve and Wednesday, 27 December, when hundreds of engineers will be renewing stretches of track to boost reliability and improve services.

At York railway station, engineers will renew track, switches and crossings, and install new overhead line equipment.

Further north between Skelton and Beningbrough, Network Rail teams will also renew a length of track and lay new ballast. Both of these projects will result in smoother journeys for passengers and contribute to a more reliable railway.

Work will also continue over the Christmas period on the Transpennine Route Upgrade, when engineers will renew track at Holgate, York. At Colton on the line between York and Leeds, engineers will install overhead line equipment and upgrade the signalling system.

At Barkston Ash near Selby, a railway bridge over the A162 London Road will be replaced, which will allow more frequent and faster electric trains to use the line in the future. While the bridge is being replaced, a clearly signposted diversion will be provided for road users.

The Festive period has been chosen to carry out the work as there is no train service on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, which means engineers can carry out the upgrades without affecting passengers.

Paul Rutter, Route Director for Network Rail s East Coast route, said: “The work we re doing in North Yorkshire over the Christmas period will help to boost reliability as we head into 2024.

“Our teams will be out and about over the festive period to deliver this significant work, and they will be carrying out the work when no services are scheduled to run, reducing disruption for travellers.

“We look forward to completing this work and seeing passengers benefit from smoother journeys and a more modern railway.”