Reminder: Upcoming engineering work will progress digital signalling programme

Passengers are reminded that trains between London and Peterborough/King’s Lynn will be affected over the next four weekends by engineering work that includes progress being made on a new, more reliable digital signalling system.

The improvement work from this Saturday (31 January) will deliver a range of benefits – including engineering and testing under the £1.4 billion East Coast Digital Programme (ECDP), which replaces traditional lineside signals with real‑time, continuous information delivered directly to the driver’s cab.

This landmark scheme is set to introduce digitally signalled passenger trains on the main line between Welwyn and Hitchin from later this year, meaning more reliable, greener, and even safer journeys.

The rigorous testing process checks the interaction between lineside equipment, onboard equipment and signalling control at York Rail Operating Centre.

Other engineering work taking place over the four weekends will include:

• track renewal at Finsbury Park, St Neots, Sandy and Offord
• renewal or refurbishment of switches and crossings (which guide trains safely from one line to another) at Hitchin, Woodwalton and Wood Green
• upgrades to overhead line equipment at Stevenage and between Sandy and St Neots.
• renewal of drainage at Stevenage, Harringay, Biggleswade and Langford
• platform upgrades at Alexandra Palace

On 31 January-1 February and 7-8 February*, there will be no trains between London and Peterborough/Royston, and no trains to Stevenage via Hertford North. Long distance operators will run amended services, with rail replacement bus services in place between Peterborough and Bedford. Thameslink and Great Northern will have various rail replacement bus services in place, with some bus routes connecting up with train services on the Midland Main Line for journeys to and from central London.

On 15 February** only there will be no long-distance services between Peterborough and London, and no trains between:

• Potters Bar and St Neots/Letchworth Garden City
• Moorgate and Finsbury Park
• Stevenage and Hertford North

Rail replacement buses will operate between Peterborough and Bedford. Thameslink and Great Northern will have various rail replacement bus services in place, with some bus routes connecting up with train services on the Midland Main Line for journeys to and from central London.

On 21-22 February*** there will be no trains between Potters Bar and Peterborough/Royston, and no trains between Hertford North and Stevenage. Long distance operators will run amended services with rail replacement bus services in place between Peterborough and Bedford. Thameslink and Great Northern will have various rail replacement bus services in place, with some bus routes connecting up with train services on the Midland Main Line for journeys to and from central London.

Ricky Barsby, Network Rail’s head of access integration, ECDP, said: “A significant amount of vital work is taking place over these four weekends, including further steps to introduce digital signalling to the East Coast Main Line. This investment will mean a more reliable, greener and even safer railway for the millions of people who travel on this route each year.

“As well as the progress we’re making on digital signalling, we’re also taking the opportunity to complete a wide range of essential maintenance and renewal work. We appreciate that these upgrades will affect journeys, and we’re grateful to passengers for their patience while our teams carry out this essential work.”

A spokesperson for Great Northern and Thameslink said: “We’ll be working hard to keep passengers moving while this essential work takes place. Rail replacement services and revised timetables will help people reach their destinations, and our teams will be on hand to support customers. We encourage everyone to check their journey before travelling.”

Rail industry colleagues were at London King’s Cross today (Monday 26 January) to speak with passengers about the upcoming engineering work and how to plan their journeys over the affected weekends. These passenger engagement events will continue at stations throughout the week as follows:

• Tuesday 27 January at Stevenage (morning)
• Wednesday 28 January at St Neots (morning)
  
• Wednesday 28 January at London King’s Cross (morning and afternoon/early evening)