Train services on the southern end of the East Coast Main Line will be disrupted this coming weekend due to Network Rail engineers testing the digital signalling system that is currently being installed.
From 8 pm on Saturday, 24th to 8 am on Monday, 26th August, there will be no long-distance trains between St Neots and London King’s Cross because of continuing work on the £1.4bn East Coast Digital Programme (ECDP).
The East Coast Digital Programme involves replacing traditional lineside signals with signalling displayed inside drivers’ cabs, resulting in more reliable journeys in the future.
The first test of a long-distance train using the system will take place on Sunday, 25th August between Welwyn Garden City and Hitchin at high speed. It is planned that digital signalling will be implemented on this route in late 2025.
Because testing must be carried out under controlled conditions, the railway needs to be closed for long-distance trains in and out of London King’s Cross.
During the weekend, London North Eastern, Lumo, and Hull Trains will not be running direct services in or out of London King’s Cross, whilst all Grand Central services will not run.
London North Eastern
London North Eastern will operate a reduced service starting and terminating at St Neots or Peterborough, with rail-replacement coaches running between St Neots and Bedford to connect with Thameslink or East Midlands Railway (EMR) services to London St Pancras.
Hull Trains
Hull Trains will operate a reduced train service of two trains in each direction which will divert and terminate at London St Pancras.
Lumo
Lumo will operate a reduced service with a non-stop rail replacement coach between London King’s Cross and Peterborough.
Thameslink and Great Northern services to King’s Cross
These will only run between King’s Cross and Potters Bar. Between Potters Bar, St Neots and Royston, and between Hertford North and Stevenage, trains will be replaced by rail-replacement buses. Further information can be found by clicking here.
East Midlands Railway services to and from London St Pancras
These are expected to be extremely busy and customers are advised to use Thameslink services and interchange at Bedford.
Network Rail and train operators advise that anyone intending to travel this weekend should check before they travel at www.nationalrail.co.uk or the train operator websites.
Further information about the East Coast Digital Programme is online at www.eastcoastdigitalprogramme.co.uk.
The testing work will take us a step closer to the introduction of digital, in-cab signalling on the East Coast Main Line, which will improve services for passengers and create a more reliable and resilient railway.
Ed Akers, Network Rail’s industry partnership director, ECDP
“We have carefully planned this work to avoid the busiest times of the August Bank Holiday weekend, and where possible passengers may be able to avoid this disruption by travelling before or after Sunday 25 August. I want to thank those passengers who will be affected for their patience and understanding of this work.
Our teams will be working extremely hard to ensure passengers reach their destination as quickly as possible while these upgrades are carried out.
The latest travel information can be found on our websites and on our social media platforms and we advise passengers to plan ahead and check before they travel.
spokesperson on behalf of LNER, Hull Trains, Lumo and Grand Central
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