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Ground-breaking digital signalling technology is now controlling every single train that commuters catch on the Great Northern route to Moorgate in the City of London.

Rail passengers are being urged to check before they travel this Christmas as essential upgrades will be carried out to improve reliability along the rail network for passengers for many years to come.

• More than 95% of rail network open for business as normal, but some routes will be affected.

• Network Rail will be undertaking around 400 projects as part of a £142m upgrade programme over Christmas and New Year to improve your railway and provide better, more reliable services for passengers across Britain.

• Timetables now live; passengers asked to plan their journeys as soon as they can. Visit National Rail Enquiries or your train operator’s website.

Network Rail has awarded a £22 million contract to Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, to bring more light into London Liverpool Street by renewing the roof panels as well as improving the drainage system of station’s Victorian trainshed.

Last Thursday (7 November) the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves MP, and Transport Secretary, Louise Haigh MP, joined Mayor Andy Burnham in Manchester where they were able to see firsthand the progress being made on the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU), as they boarded an electric train service between Manchester Victoria and Stalybridge.

A memorial plaque in honour of staff from the Midland Railway Loco department who fought in World War I has been officially rededicated at Birmingham New Street.

Engineers will be renewing a 2200 metre section of the East Suffolk line for three weekends from end of November to improve reliability and giving a smoother ride for passengers.

A new dedicated waiting lounge is coming to Liverpool Lime Street to help passengers who need help to get on and off trains.