Passengers urged to plan ahead of East Coast Digital Programme work on 18/19 February

Network Rail have issued the following press release about engineering work on the weekend of 18/19 February:

Passengers intending to travel with Great Northern and Thameslink on the route between London and Peterborough over the weekend of 18 and 19 February are being asked to plan ahead.

Further engineering work is taking place to deliver the East Coast Digital Programme (ECDP) - a transformation using state-of-the-art digital technology that will provide continuous speed- based signalling through a screen in the driver’s cab. This is aimed at improving reliability and providing a better and greener service for passengers.

Over 18 and 19 February 2023 a new signalling system is being commissioned in the Wood Green - New Barnet area of North London, preparing the area for digital signalling while replacing existing life expired equipment.

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

On Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 February, no train services will run between St Neots (south of Peterborough), or between Royston and London. London King’s Cross and Moorgate stations will be closed to passengers, and there will be no services to or from St Pancras International via Finsbury Park.

Thameslink will operate a limited shuttle service between Peterborough and St Neots.

Great Northern will run trains between Royston, Cambridge, Ely and King’s Lynn. Rail replacement bus services will serve intermediate stations between St Neots, Royston and Alexandra Palace.

For customers travelling to London, there will be rail replacement bus services from selected Great Northern stations across to the Midland Main Line to connect into Thameslink services from Bedford to London St Pancras. No Great Northern services will operate on the Hertford branch between Stevenage and Alexandra Palace, with stations being served by rail replacement bus services. There will also be no services on the Moorgate branch.

Passengers are advised to plan ahead and check before they travel at www.greatnorthernrail.com or at www.nationalrail.co.uk

Ed Akers, Network Rail’s Principal Programme Sponsor, ECDP said:

“The work taking place is an important step in this transformational programme to create a digitally signalled East Coast Main Line. It will enable us to progress towards a digital future while delivering more reliability in the meantime.

“We are sorry for the disruption that this will cause passengers. We’ve worked closely with train operators to keep people moving, so people should check before they travel.”

Jenny Saunders, Thameslink and Great Northern Customer Services Director, 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.”

ENDS