Media centre

Notes to Editors

There will be opportunity to interview Sarah Hewlett about the ECDP work at Peterborough station on Thursday 22 December. Please contact: Joshua.Chapman@networkrail.co.uk and / or Gavin.Bostock@networkrail.co.uk to arrange an interview.

Digital signalling

Digital signalling, using ETCS is a proven technology already in use in many countries in Europe and elsewhere.  The ECDP will see the first introduction of ETCS to an intercity mainline in Great Britain, and will provide the foundation for the future expansion of digital signalling across the network.  ETCS is currently in use in the central London section of Thameslink and on the Cambrian Line in Wales, and now on the Northern City Line (Finsbury Park to Moorgate), in the first stage of ECDP.

More reliability: With signalling information being provided directly to the driver, via a screen in their cab, there will no longer be a need to maintain a large amount of lineside equipment involved with traditional ‘traffic light’ signals.  As a result, the amount of signalling-related engineering work will reduce in the future by around almost half. Additionally, trains are sometimes affected by signal failures; moving to a modern, digitally based system makes this less likely, potentially reducing thousands of hours of delays, and making train services more reliable.

More punctual services: Digital signalling gives train drivers continual information about the safe maximum speed for their train. It provides drivers with additional information about the route ahead, that today’s fixed ‘traffic light’ signals do not. This enables more ‘efficient’ operations, helping trains stay on time.  The new technology allows continuous communication between the trackside and onboard equipment. Signallers can continuously communicate with every train on the network and respond in real time using digital tools to help smooth the flow of trains and recover services more quickly after disruption.

Greener journeys: Digital signalling contributes to a greener railway. The East Coast Main Line is already electrified, and these upgrades will deliver a further 55,000 tonne reduction in carbon emissions over 60 years – the equivalent to over 65,000 one-way flights from London to New York, or over 2 million passenger train journeys from London to Edinburgh. This is because there is much less physical equipment to produce and maintain compared with what’s needed for ‘traffic light’ signals. The estimated whole life carbon saving over a 60-year period (the expected life span of a ‘traditional’ signalling system) is around 39%. The technology also allows gentler braking, meaning journeys are smoother and use less energy. Finally, a more reliable and punctual railway will encourage more people to choose rail over road and air, ultimately reducing transport emissions for the long-term.

For further information about the ECDP please visit www.eastcoastdigitalprogramme.co.uk

Service information

LNER information: https://www.lner.co.uk/travel-information/travelling-later/timetables/ 

Sunday 24 December – Christmas Eve

There will be no LNER services to or from London King’s Cross as a result of essential upgrades to signalling between London and Peterborough. LNER services will terminate at either St Neots or Peterborough and finish much earlier than usual.

Please plan ahead and check before you travel if you are travelling on the East Coast Mainline on Christmas Eve.

• LNER will run an hourly service, in both directions, between Leeds and St Neots and an hourly train service each way between Scotland and St Neots
• Customers travelling to or from Central London or Stevenage can take a rail replacement coach service between St Neots and Bedford and connect to either EMR or Thameslink services to/from London St Pancras (LNER tickets will be accepted on this journey)
• Impacted journeys will involve a rail replacement coach service and take significantly longer than usual (at least 60 minutes)

Last train times

Customers are reminded that the last train services to and from St Neots will be earlier than usual.

Last northbound LNER train services from St Neots

• 16.59 to Newcastle and Edinburgh Waverley
• 19.00 to York
• 19.54 to Leeds

Last southbound LNER train services to St Neots

• 14.30 from Edinburgh Waverley
• 15.59 from Newcastle
• 16.59 from York
• 17.16 from Leeds

Hull Trains information: https://www.hulltrains.co.uk/travel-information/engineering-works

Hull Trains will be running a reduced service of one train in each direction between Hull and London St Pancras, calling at Brough, Howden and Selby.

You can find details of the service at the link above.

Lumo information: https://www.lumo.co.uk/plan-your-journey/planned-engineering-works

Lumo will be running a reduced service between Edinburgh Waverley and Newcastle only on Christmas Eve.

For full details, including an amended timetable, click the link above.