Reminder: Digital signalling testing affects passenger services this weekend

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

A large section of the railway south of Peterborough and Royston, as far as Potters Bar and Hertford North will be closed this weekend (22 and 23 November) to allow for further testing of digital signalling, passengers are reminded.

The work between Welwyn Garden City and Hitchin in Hertfordshire will involve trains transitioning in and out of a test stretch of digitally-controlled track.

Further work will develop the trackside equipment, under the £1.4 billion East Coast Digital Programme (ECDP) introducing in-cab digital signalling on the line – delivering greener, safer and more reliable journeys for passengers.

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.

It means that, this weekend, there will be no Thameslink or Great Northern trains between Potters Bar and Peterborough/Royston, or between Hertford North and Stevenage (see editors' notes).

There will also 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.

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

“The work taking place, including further testing, is part of our preparations for the introduction of digital in-cab signalling on the East Coast Main Line. We are also taking the opportunity to carry out vital work at other East Coast locations during the same weekend.

“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 Govia Thameslink Railway, that operates Great Northern and Thameslink, 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.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Interviews

Ricky Barsby, Network Rail’s head of access integration, ECDP, is available for interview on Thursday 20 November. Email gareth.dennison@networkrail.co.uk to arrange.

ECDP testing on 22 and 23 November

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.

Thameslink/Great Northern service arrangements

No trains will run between:

• Potters Bar and Peterborough
• Potters Bar and Royston
• Hertford North and Stevenage

A revised train service will run between:

• Royston and Cambridge/Ely/Kings Lynn
• Moorgate and Hertford North/Potters Bar
• London Kings Cross and Potters Bar
• Finsbury Park and Brighton
• Finsbury Park and Horsham (Saturday only)

Replacement buses will run between:

• Hitchin and Royston
• Bedford and Peterborough via St Neots
• Hitchin and Peterborough
• Luton Airport Parkway and Stevenage via Hitchin
• St Albans City and Stevenage via Hatfield
• Hertford North and Stevenage
• Potters Bar and Hitchin

Additionally, before 09:40 on Sunday 23 November, buses will replace trains between Finsbury Park and Stevenage via Hertford North.