Passenger services affected by testing in £1.4bn digital signalling project

Network Rail has issued the following press release about upcoming testing which will affect Thameslink and Great Northern services between between Potters Bar and Peterborough/Royston, or between Hertford North and Stevenage.

Passengers are advised that further progress with digital signalling will affect journeys over the weekend of 22 and 23 November, closing a large section of the railway south of Peterborough towards London.

Testing of new equipment will be taking place in Hertfordshire between Welwyn Garden City and Hitchin, under the £1.4 billion East Coast Digital Programme (ECDP).

The landmark scheme is introducing in-cab digital signalling on the line – meaning greener, safer and more reliable journeys for passengers.

The testing work in November will involve trains transitioning in and out of the digitally-controlled section, while further work will develop the trackside equipment related to digital signalling.

Other work taking place on the same weekend, to use the period when trains are not running most effectively, includes track renewal at Letchworth Garden City, rerailing at Welwyn and Wymondley and drainage improvements at Stevenage.

The engineering work means changes to passenger services over the weekend. There will be no Grand Central services, while Hull Trains will operate an amended service running to and from London St Pancras.

LNER will have rail replacement coaches between Peterborough and Bedford, where customers can join train services to London St Pancras.

Lumo will operate an amended service between Edinburgh and Newcastle only.

There will be no Thameslink or Great Northern trains between Potters Bar and Peterborough/Royston, or between Hertford North and Stevenage.

Ricky Barsby, Network Rail’s head of access integration, ECDP, said:

“The work taking place, including further testing, is a further part of our preparations for the introduction of digital in-cab signalling on the East Coast Main Line.

“Its gradual introduction in the coming years will make the railway fit for the future and provide more reliable and greener services for passengers. We are also taking the opportunity to carry out vital work at other East Coast locations during the same weekend.

“There is a never a good time to close the railway but late November is a relatively quiet period, and gets the work done before the imminent pre-Christmas weeks. We encourage passengers to plan ahead and check before they travel, and thank them for their patience and understanding of this work.”

A spokesperson for the train operating companies added:

“We will be working hard to keep passengers on the move while this essential engineering work takes place. Rail replacement bus services and revised timetables will be in place to help people reach their destinations, and we’re encouraging everyone to check before they travel.”

The testing will involve a Great Northern commuter Class 717 train, recently upgraded to an updated version of European Train Control System (ETCS) and a Grand Central Class 180 passenger train.

The weekend testing programme is expected to include two Class 717 trains operating in ETCS at the same time, to provide confidence in the system and enable more efficient testing.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Thameslink/Great Northern service arrangements