Network Rail is reminding passengers that no train services will run between Biggleswade or Letchworth Garden City and King’s Cross, St Pancras International or Moorgate on Saturday, 29 February and Sunday, 1 March as major improvement work continues as part of the East Coast Upgrade.

During the weekend closure, Network Rail will work to test new signalling equipment at Stevenage station as part of work to build a new platform. Work will also take place to install new overhead line equipment.

To allow this work to take place safely, no trains can run on these routes.

London North Eastern Railway services will run only as far south as St Neots, while some Hull Trains services will be diverted to run in and out of St Pancras.

Great Northern services will still run between Peterborough and Biggleswade and between King’s Lynn and Letchworth Garden City.

All of this work is part of the East Coast Upgrade, which is the biggest investment into the ECML in a generation.

Once complete, it will bring up to 10,000 extra seats on long-distance train services a day.

Passengers are urged not to travel to or from London on the East Coast Main Line on these two days. Instead, passengers are advised to travel on Friday, 28 February or Monday, 2 March instead. These services will be very busy, and passengers should book in advance and reserve a seat where possible.

What did the officials say?

Ed Akers, Principal Programme Sponsor for Network Rail, said:

“We know that there have been numerous changes to services to and from London over the past two months and we apologise for any inconvenience which this has caused.

“There’s never a good time carry out upgrade work on this scale. The work taking place on Saturday, 29 February and Sunday, 1 March is absolutely vital to keep this scheme progressing well and we would urge passengers not to travel to and from London on the affected routes on these dates.

“This work is the final weekend which this project will impact on services until June and I would like to thank passengers for their continued patience whilst we work on this project, which will bring huge benefits to passengers.”

A spokesperson for train operators along the routes said:

“This weekend, to allow significant work by Network Rail, there will be no services on the East Coast Main Line into King’s Cross, St Pancras or Moorgate. There will also be no services between Moorgate and Hertford North.

“We would urge passengers to follow the travel advice issued, which is not to travel to or from London on these dates and to travel on alternative dates instead.

“We would like to thank all passengers for their patience and we look forward to them reaping the improvements when this project completes.”

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