No trains south of St Neots and Royston this weekend as passengers reminded to plan ahead for East Coast Digital Programme work

The billion-pound East Coast Digital Programme will continue to create a more reliable railway between Peterborough and London King’s Cross this weekend.

Passengers planning to travel on the Great Northern and Thameslink network on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 February are being urged to plan ahead as there will be no trains south of Royston and St Neots to London (see editor's notes).

A brand-new signalling system is being brought into use in the Wood Green – New Barnet area of north London to boost reliability and make the area ready for digital signalling in the future.

New lineside equipment and technology is also being installed between Welwyn Garden City and Hitchin in Hertfordshire, preparing this section to become the first part of the East Coast Main Line to operate with digital signalling.

The Government-backed East Coast Digital Programme will create the next generation of train travel, reduce carbon emissions and help passengers get to where they need to be, on time.

For the work to take place safely, no trains will run between St Neots (south of Peterborough), or between Royston and London over the weekend. London King’s Cross and Moorgate stations will be closed and there will be no services to or from St Pancras International via Finsbury Park.

Passengers should check with National Rail or their train operator’s website for the latest information on rail replacement services.

Paul Rutter, East Coast Route Director for Network Rail said: “It’s exciting to see the East Coast Digital Programme moving forward as we get closer to offering passengers more reliable journeys along a digital railway that’s fit for the future.

“There will be significant changes to services over the weekend so that we can deliver these benefits safely and we’re sorry if this impacts people’s plans. We’ve worked closely with train operators to keep people moving, so passengers should plan ahead.”

Thameslink and Great Northern Customer Services Director Jenny Saunders said: “This work is good news because, in the long term, digital signalling will give our customers better, more reliable journeys. However, I do recognise that on 18 and 19 February, journeys will take much longer and probably involve a rail replacement bus, so please plan ahead and check online at nationalrail.co.uk to see how you will be affected. Thank you in advance for your patience while this vital work takes place.”

Passengers should also check their journeys on 25 and 26 February and 4 and 5 March while further work takes place.

ENDS