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Tuesday 17 Aug 2021

Going digital: Passengers reminded of August Bank Holiday service changes on Northern City Line as East Coast Digital Programme continues

Region & Route:

Eastern

| Eastern: East Coast

• Project to create UK’s first intercity digital railway continues over August Bank Holiday weekend
• Route between Finsbury Park and Moorgate closed and services diverted to London King’s Cross
• Over 95% of Britain’s rail network will be open for business over August Bank Holiday weekend as railway welcomes back passengers

Network Rail and Great Northern are reminding passengers who plan on using the railway between Finsbury Park and Moorgate over the August Bank Holiday weekend to check before travelling as work on the East Coast Digital Programme continues.  

On Saturday 28, Sunday 29 and Monday 30 August, the route between Finsbury Park and Moorgate will be closed, with no trains able to travel in this area. Instead, services will be diverted into London King’s Cross. The same service changes will also be in place on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 August.

The work over the August Bank Holiday will see upgrades to the track and signalling systems and is the latest stage of the East Coast Digital Programme, which will create the first intercity digital railway in the UK, fitting trains with the latest in-cab signalling technology and removing the old lineside signals.

This will mean that signallers will be able to communicate with trains continuously rather than only at fixed signal points, responding in real time, which will benefit passengers by reducing delays and significantly improving performance. Although the full line won’t be fully digitally signalled until 2023, passengers will enjoy more reliable journeys into the City of London by next summer.

Network Rail has carefully planned the work which is taking place over the Bank Holiday weekend. Over 95% of Britain’s rail network will be open for business as usual, meaning passengers can reconnect with family, friends, and their favourite holiday destinations.

Passengers can find out how their journeys will be affected with Great Northern, via National Rail Enquiries or by following #AugustBHWorks on Twitter.

Toufic Machnouk, Network Rail’s Director, Industry Partnership Digital, said: “Our teams continue to work to deliver the East Coast Digital Programme with key work to track and signalling currently taking place.

“This work will bring more reliable journeys for passengers by next Summer and help us to fully digitally signal the line in 2023, which will reduce delays and improve performance.

“We’re sorry for any disruption this causes for travellers and we’d urge all those planning on using this route to plan ahead via National Rail Enquiries or with Great Northern. We’d like to thank all those impacted for their patience and we look forward to them reaping the benefits of this work in years to come.”

Jenny Saunders, Customer Services Director for Thameslink and Great Northern, said:  “Network Rail have worked hard with us to make sure our customers can get where they need to be over the Bank Holiday. Tickets can be used on London Bus and Tube services between Finsbury Park or King’s Cross and Moorgate. Please check before you travel and be aware there may be short-notice changes due to the ongoing impact of Covid-19.”

People are advised to follow government guidance and wear a face covering in busy indoor settings, unless they are exempt. With good ventilation systems on trains, extra cleaning and improved information about quieter times, passengers can continue to travel with confidence.

ENDS