Media centre

Tuesday 26 Jan 2021

No trains into London south of Potters Bar and Gordon Hill this weekend as work ramps up on the East Coast Upgrade

Region & Route:

Eastern

| Eastern: East Coast

• Major improvement work means there are no trains to/from King’s Cross this weekend (Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 January)
• Buses also replace trains between Peterborough and Hitchin this weekend
• People must follow the latest Government guidance and only travel for limited reasons
• Further changes to services ahead of partial closure at King’s Cross between March and June

Network Rail, Thameslink and Great Northern are reminding passengers making essential journeys on the East Coast Main Line that no trains will run south of Potters Bar and Gordon Hill, to or from London King’s Cross, Moorgate or St Pancras via Finsbury Park this Saturday and Sunday, 30 and 31 January.

Over the weekend, teams are continuing with essential work to install overhead line equipment and improve the signalling in and around King’s Cross, which will bring more reliable journeys for passengers. This work, which is part of the £1.2billion East Coast Upgrade, is being carried out safely, in line with Government guidance. 

There will also be changes to services on each weekend throughout February, and no trains to or from London King’s Cross on Friday 26, Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 February, as major work takes place ahead of a longer partial closure at the station between Monday 1 March and early June. During this time, teams will modernise the track layout, making it easier for trains to enter and exit the station.

The £1.2billion East Coast Upgrade is the biggest investment in the route in a generation and will bring a more modern, reliable railway for passengers, transforming journeys between London, Peterborough and Cambridge.

People must continue to follow the latest Government guidance and stay at home, except for limited reasons. Those who must travel are strongly advised to check their journeys via National Rail Enquiries, at EastCoastUpgrade.co.uk or on their train operator’s website and allow plenty of time.

• Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 January - There will be no trains at all south of Potters Bar and Gordon Hill, to or from London King’s Cross, Moorgate and St Pancras International via Finsbury Park.

Passengers travelling between London and Peterborough/Cambridge/Stevenage/Welwyn Garden City will need to use replacement buses, which will connect with alternative rail and London Underground services.

Buses will also replace trains between Peterborough and Hitchin.

• Sunday 7 and Sunday 14 February – There will be a reduced service to and from London King’s Cross. No services will run between Peterborough and Hitchin, with buses replacing trains

• Sunday 21 February – There will be a reduced service to and from London King’s Cross. No trains will run between Stevenage and Alexandra Palace.

• Friday 26, Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 February – No trains will run to or from London King’s Cross, Moorgate or to or from St Pancras International via Finsbury Park.

Ed Akers, Principal Programme Sponsor for Network Rail’s East Coast Upgrade, said: “We’re making vital improvements at King’s Cross over the next few weeks, ahead of a longer partial closure at the station, when we will be changing the layout of the track to bring more reliable services for passengers.

“The improvements being carried out this weekend to the overhead lines and signalling system can only be done safely when there are no trains on the lines. This means passengers who must travel should check their journeys and allow plenty of time.

“We want to thank people for their continued patience as work gathers pace on the East Coast Upgrade.”

Jenny Saunders, Customer Services Director for Great Northern and Thameslink, said: “Due to the pandemic and Government restrictions, no-one should be travelling unless their journeys are absolutely essential. For those who have to take the train, this weekend will be particularly difficult, and I would urge you to check the latest advice at National Rail Enquiries before heading out to the station.”

ENDS