Monday 31 Oct 2022
Extremely limited trains along East Coast Main Line during rail strikes
- Region & Route:
- Eastern
- | Eastern: East Coast
- National rail strikes planned for 5, 7 and 9 November will significantly impact train services on the East Coast Main Line
- Passengers should only travel if necessary, plan ahead and know their last train times
- Crucial engineering work will still go ahead to deliver a more reliable railway between Peterborough and Doncaster
Rail passengers should plan ahead and only travel if necessary on Saturday 5, Monday 7 and Wednesday 9 November, as planned national strike action will significantly reduce train services.
On Saturday 5 November, no trains will run between Peterborough and Doncaster, and an extremely limited service is planned to run between Doncaster and Edinburgh and Doncaster and Leeds.
Where possible, specially-trained and fully-qualified back up staff will step up to keep vital services running for passengers who need them.
On Monday 7 and Wednesday 9 November, limited services will run along the full East Coast Main Line – between London King’s Cross and Edinburgh – between 7.30am and 6.30pm.
The impact will be felt from Saturday 5 until Thursday 10 November, with trains likely to start later or finish earlier than usual on the days following the strikes.
Those who really need to travel should check National Rail Enquiries or their train operator’s website for the latest updates, plan ahead and know their last train home.
Important engineering work to renew and refresh track, repair drainage through a major tunnel, and upgrade vital equipment between Peterborough and Doncaster will still go ahead on 5 and 6 November to offer passengers a more reliable, on-time railway when services return to normal. This work will also continue on 19, 20, 26 and 27 November, so passengers should continue to plan ahead using National Rail Enquiries.
Paul Rutter, East Coast Route Director for Network Rail, said: “It’s really disappointing that, once again, we’re only able to offer passengers a very limited train service during the three days of national strike action.
“I’m sorry for the impact this will have on people’s plans and would encourage anybody who really needs to travel by train to plan ahead, know their last train home, and to expect some significant disruption.
“I am pleased that we’re able to push ahead with our important upgrades to eventually deliver more reliable, on-time journeys along a crucial section of the East Coast Main Line between Peterborough and Doncaster. Passengers should check before travelling over three weekends in November while we complete this work.”
With the rail strikes affecting the whole country - including alternative routes north of London such as the Midland Main Line and the West Coast Main Line - trains that do run will be much busier than usual and planning ahead is essential.
Visit networkrail.co.uk/industrial-action for the latest.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Detailed travel advice
Saturday 5 until Thursday 10 November
Visit your train operator’s website for the latest travel advice:
- Grand Central – Strike Information | Grand Central Rail
- Hull Trains – Industrial Action | Travel Information | Hull Trains
- LNER – Train strike dates, travel information and refunds | LNER
- Lumo – Innovative Electric Train Travel | Buy Train Tickets | Lumo
Saturday 19 November
East Midlands Railway:
- Buses will replace trains between Newark Castle and Lincoln and will run via Newark North Gate.
- Trains running between Leicester and Lincoln / Grimsby Town / Cleethorpes will be revised to run between Nottingham and Newark Castle, and then between Lincoln and Grimsby Town / Cleethorpes.
- Trains running between Newark North Gate and Lincoln will be cancelled.
- The 08:17 Newark North Gate to Cleethorpes service will start from Lincoln at 08:41. Rail replacement will run between Newark Castle and Lincoln, running via Newark North Gate.
- Trains running between Norwich and Liverpool Lime Street will operate as two separate services: Liverpool Lime Street - Nottingham, and Nottingham – Norwich, they will not call at Grantham. Customers can change trains at Nottingham.
- Rail replacement buses will run between Nottingham and Peterborough, calling at Grantham.
LNER:
- A reduced timetable will be in place throughout the day.
- There will be one train per hour each way between London King’s Cross and Newcastle / Scotland. These services will run via a diversionary route between Peterborough and Doncaster and journey times will be extended by up to one hour.
- There will be one train every two hours each way between London King’s Cross and Leeds. These services will run via a diversionary route between Peterborough and Doncaster and journey times will be extended by up to one hour.
- Rail replacement coaches will operate between Peterborough and Doncaster (also calling at Grantham, Newark Northgate and Retford).
- Other LNER services will start from/terminate at Doncaster.
Grand Central:
- An amended and reduced service will run, with trains diverting via Lincoln / Hertford North, extending journey times by up to 60 minutes.
Hull Trains:
- An amended and reduced service will run, trains will divert via Lincoln with extended journey times by up to one hour and will not call at Beverley, Cottingham, Retford and Grantham.
Lumo:
It is not yet known how Lumo will be affected by this engineering work.
Sunday 20 November
East Midlands Railway:
- Buses will replace trains between Newark Castle and Lincoln and will run via Newark North Gate.
- Trains running between Nottingham and Lincoln / Cleethorpes will be revised to run between Nottingham and Newark Castle, and then between Lincoln and Cleethorpes.
- Trains running between Newark North Gate and Lincoln will be cancelled.
- Trains running between Norwich and Liverpool Lime Street will operate as two separate services: Liverpool Lime Street - Nottingham, and Nottingham – Norwich, they will not call at Grantham. Customers can change trains at Nottingham.
- Rail replacement buses will run between Nottingham and Peterborough, calling at Grantham.
LNER:
- A reduced timetable will be in place throughout the day.
- There will be one train per hour each way between London King’s Cross and Newcastle / Scotland. These services will run via a diversionary route between Peterborough and Doncaster and journey times will be extended by up to one hour.
- There will be one train every two hours each way between London King’s Cross and Leeds. These services will run via a diversionary route between Peterborough and Doncaster and journey times will be extended by up to one hour.
- Rail replacement coaches will operate between Peterborough and Doncaster (also calling at Grantham, Newark Northgate and Retford).
- Other LNER services will start from/terminate at Doncaster.
Grand Central:
- An amended and reduced service will run, with trains diverting via Lincoln / Hertford North, extending journey times by up to 60 minutes.
Hull Trains:
- An amended and reduced service will run, trains will divert via Lincoln with extended journey times by up to one hour and will not call at Beverley, Cottingham, Retford and Grantham.
Lumo:
It is not yet known how Lumo will be affected by this engineering work.
Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 November
Grand Central:
- An amended and reduced service will run, with trains diverting via Lincoln / Hertford North, extending journey times by up to 60 minutes.
Hull Trains:
- An amended and reduced service will run, trains will divert via Lincoln with extended journey times by up to one hour and will not call at Beverley, Cottingham, Retford and Grantham.
LNER:
- A reduced timetable will be in place throughout the day.
- There will be one train per hour each way between London King’s Cross and Newcastle / Scotland. These services will run via a diversionary route between Peterborough and Doncaster and journey times will be extended by up to one hour.
- There will be one train every two hours each way between London King’s Cross and Leeds. These services will run via a diversionary route between Peterborough and Doncaster and journey times will be extended by up to one hour.
- Rail replacement coaches will operate between Peterborough and Doncaster (also calling at Grantham, Newark Northgate and Retford).
- Other LNER services will start from/terminate at Doncaster.
Lumo:
It is not yet known how Lumo will be affected by this engineering work.
Contact information
Passengers / community members
Network Rail national helpline
03457 11 41 41
Latest travel advice
Please visit National Rail Enquiries
Journalists
Louise Leighton
Media Relations Manager
Network Rail
07858 375508
louise.leighton2@networkrail.co.uk
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