All change at Newcastle: Passengers urged to plan ahead in September and October as major upgrades take place at Newcastle Central station

Thursday 1 Sep 2022

All change at Newcastle: Passengers urged to plan ahead in September and October as major upgrades take place at Newcastle Central station

Region & Route:: Eastern; | Eastern: East Coast

There will be significant changes to services on the East Coast Main Line on 17 - 18 September, 24 - 25 September and 1 - 10 October inclusive
Diversion routes and rail replacement services will be in operation between Newcastle and Scotland, with other journeys across the East Coast Main Line also affected
Passengers are urged to plan ahead, check before they travel and allow extra time for their journeys

Network Rail is urging passengers to plan ahead if travelling to, from or through Newcastle in September and October, as key improvement work gets underway.

The project will see the renewal of 750m of track, as well as five sets of switches and crossings, the specialist pieces of rail which allow trains to move from one piece of track to another. These essential upgrades will improve reliability and reduce disruption, leading to smoother journeys for passengers.

Further improvements in the area will also take place during this time, including renewing overhead lines and level crossings, as well as routine maintenance work. Doing all of the work at the same time reduces future disruption for passengers.

The nature of the work does mean major changes to LNER, Northern, TransPennine Express, CrossCountry and Lumo services – including diversion routes and rail replacement services – so passengers are urged to plan ahead, check before they travel and allow plenty of extra time.

Sam MacDougall, Operations Director for Network Rail’s East Coast route, said: “Our teams will be delivering essential upgrades to track in the Newcastle area which will help to create a much more modern and reliable railway, for now and for the future.

“I can only apologise for any disruption caused, however this vital work will ensure that we can keep services running smoothly and on time for years to come, so we’re asking passengers to plan ahead and check before they travel.”

A spokesperson on behalf of train operators on the route said: “The work taking place at Newcastle is going to cause significant disruption for services, so we urge passengers to check their journey before travelling and follow the advice given.

“We are working hard to keep people moving, with rail replacement services and diversion routes, but this means your journey will take longer and may be busier than usual.”

Further information is available here and passengers can plan their journey using the National Rail Enquiries Journey Planner

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Detailed train information

Saturday 17 – Sunday 18 and Saturday 24 – Sunday 25 September -

CrossCountry and TransPennine Express services south of Newcastle will terminate at Newcastle. Buses will replace train services between Newcastle and Edinburgh via Berwick-upon-Tweed.

LNER will run a reduced hourly service between Newcastle and Edinburgh and will be diverted via Carlisle with extended journey times. Other services between the North and London will start/terminate at Newcastle.

Rail replacement coaches will operate between Newcastle, Morpeth, Alnmouth, Berwick-upon Tweed, Reston, Dunbar and Edinburgh. LNER services may be busy and seat reservations are recommended. Services on other parts of the LNER route may also be affected and customers are advised to check before they travel: https://www.lner.co.uk/travel-information/newcastle-track-upgrade/.

Buses will replace Northern services between Morpeth and Chathill and services between Newcastle and Hexham/Carlisle will run to a reduced timetable. Lumo passengers can keep up to date with the latest travel advice by visiting www.lumo.co.uk.

Saturday 1 – Sunday 2 October

TransPennine Express services south of Newcastle will terminate at Newcastle. Buses will replace train services between Newcastle and Edinburgh via Berwick-upon-Tweed.

CrossCountry services will start and end at York.

LNER will run a reduced hourly service north of Darlington, and between Newcastle and Edinburgh services will be diverted via Carlisle with extended journey times.

Rail replacement services will operate between Newcastle, Morpeth, Alnmouth, Berwick-upon Tweed, Reston, Dunbar and Edinburgh. LNER services may be busy and seat reservations are recommended. Services on other parts of the LNER route may also be affected and customers are advised to check before they travel: https://www.lner.co.uk/travel-information/newcastle-track-upgrade/.

Monday 3 October

TransPennine Express services south of Newcastle will terminate at Newcastle. Buses will replace train services between Newcastle and Berwick-upon-Tweed. Transpennine Express will run services between Berwick-upon-Tweed and Edinburgh.

CrossCountry services will start and end at York.

LNER will run a reduced hourly service north of Darlington, and between Newcastle and Edinburgh some services will be diverted via Carlisle resulting in extended journey times. Hourly rail replacement services will operate between Newcastle and Morpeth, connecting with hourly LNER train services between Morpeth and Edinburgh.

LNER services may be busy and seat reservations are recommended. Services on other parts of the LNER route may also be affected and customers are advised to check before they travel: https://www.lner.co.uk/travel-information/newcastle-track-upgrade/.

Tuesday 4 – Thursday 6 October

CrossCountry will run a limited service via Newcastle in both directions.

Transpennine Express will run services between Berwick-upon-Tweed and Edinburgh.

LNER will run a reduced hourly service north of Darlington, and to Newcastle and Edinburgh; with small journey time extensions. LNER services may be busy and seat reservations are recommended. Services on other parts of the LNER route may also be affected. Customers are advised to check before they travel: https://www.lner.co.uk/travel-information/newcastle-track-upgrade/.

Buses will replace Northern services between Morpeth and Chathill and services between Newcastle and Hexham/Carlisle will run to a reduced timetable.

Lumo passengers can keep up to date with the latest travel advice by visiting www.lumo.co.uk

Friday 7 October

TransPennine Express services south of Newcastle will terminate at Newcastle. Buses will replace train services between Newcastle and Edinburgh via Berwick-upon-Tweed. Transpennine Express will run services between Berwick-upon-Tweed and Edinburgh.

CrossCountry services will start and end at York.

Saturday 8 – Sunday 9 October

TransPennine Express services south of Newcastle will terminate at Newcastle. Coaches will replace train services between Newcastle and Edinburgh via Berwick-upon-Tweed.

CrossCountry services will start and end at York.

An hourly service operated by LNER will run between Newcastle and Edinburgh but will operate via Carlisle resulting in extended journey times. Rail replacement services will run on 8/9 October between Newcastle, Morpeth, Alnmouth, Berwick-upon Tweed, Reston, Dunbar and Edinburgh. LNER services may be busy and seat reservations are recommended.

Services on other parts of the LNER route may also be affected and customers are advised to check before they travel: https://www.lner.co.uk/travel-information/newcastle-track-upgrade/.

Buses will replace Northern services between Morpeth and Chathill and services between Newcastle and Hexham/Carlisle will run to a reduced timetable.

Lumo passengers can keep up to date with the latest travel advice by visiting www.lumo.co.uk

Monday 10 October

On Monday, 10 October there will be some cancellation and reduction of services as train sets will be out of place for the start of service. Passengers should check before travelling via National Rail Enquiries or with their train operator.

Contact information

Passengers / community members
Network Rail national helpline
03457 11 41 41

Latest travel advice
Please visit National Rail Enquiries

Journalists
Jake Nabi
Media Relations Manager
Network Rail
07858375508
jake.nabi@networkrail.co.uk

About Network Rail

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