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Thursday 15 Jun 2023

Customers reminded to plan ahead as work continues to bring digital signalling to the East Coast Main Line

Region & Route:

Eastern

| Eastern: East Coast

On the weekend of Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 June, passengers planning to travel to and from London King's Cross and other locations on the Great Northern network are being urged to plan ahead. 

The East Coast Digital Programme (ECDP) will transform the East Coast Main Line to deliver continuous speed-based signalling through a screen in the driver's cab. This will improve reliability, lower carbon emissions, and gives passengers a more punctual service. For Great Northern passenger services between Finsbury Park and Moorgate in London, the use of digital signalling is already close to being implemented.  

The work, which will be carried out on 24 and 25 June, will prepare a section of the East Coast Main Line to use digital signalling. Between Welwyn Garden City and Hitchin in Hertfordshire, new machinery and technology is being installed for trains to start operating using digital signalling in this area in 2025.  

Passengers are encouraged to check before travelling as there will be changes to services as outlined below: 

Service alterations 

• On Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 June, buses will replace trains between St Neots (south of Peterborough), Royston and Potters Bar/Hertford North. 
• On Sunday 25 June only, no trains will run between Kings Cross / Moorgate and Potters Bar / Hertford North until approximately 11:00 and after approximately 22:00. 
• Thameslink will operate a limited shuttle service between Peterborough and St Neots. Great Northern trains will run between Royston and Kings Lynn, between Hertford North and Moorgate, and between Potters Bar and King’s Cross. Thameslink will also operate services between Finsbury Park and Brighton/Horsham​. 

There will be rail replacement bus services from selected Great Northern stations, but queuing systems will be in place and journeys will take significantly longer. 

Passengers are advised to plan ahead and check before they travel with their train operator or via National Rail Enquiries. 

Ed Akers, Network Rail’s Principal Programme Sponsor, ECDP said: 

“We’ve made good early progress on the Northern City Line, and we’re now preparing the way towards Britain’s first digital signalling on an intercity mainline. Over the coming years this will enable more reliable journeys for the millions of passengers who use the East Coast route. 

“We are sorry for the disruption that this work will cause passengers, and thank them for their patience. We advise them to plan ahead and check before they travel.” 

Jenny Saunders, Thameslink and Great Northern Customer Services Director, said: 

“This work is essential to giving passengers better, even more sustainable services in the future, However, regrettably, there will be significant disruption on this June weekend so please do check ahead and allow more time.” 

ENDS