Reminder: Bank holiday journeys affected by digital signalling project

Network Rail has issued the following press release about digital signalling testing which will affect Thameslink and Great Northern journeys this weekend.

Passengers are reminded that testing ahead of digital signalling being introduced on the East Coast Main Line will affect journeys this weekend.

Engineering work will affect journeys south of Peterborough and Royston towards London between 22.00 on Saturday 29 August and 08.00 on Monday 31 August, with rail replacement bus services in operation for some journeys.*

The work forms the final stages of testing ahead of the £1.4 billion East Coast Digital Programme’s introduction of digital in-cab signalling – replacing traditional lineside “traffic light” signals with real‑time information sent directly into the driver’s cab. Over the long term it will deliver more reliable, greener and safer journeys.

Digital signalling has been successfully introduced on the Northern City Line in London and will be introduced on the East Coast Main Line between Welwyn and Hitchin this summer.

Ricky Barsby, Network Rail head of access integration (ECDP), said: “The work taking place involves the final preparations for us to begin a gradual introduction of digital in-cab signalling on the East Coast Main Line. The ability to control trains in this way will enable a more resilient and reliable railway that is fit for the future.

“We have carefully planned this work to avoid the busiest times of the August bank holiday weekend, and where possible passengers may be able to avoid this disruption by travelling before or after Sunday 30 August.

“We’re sorry to anyone whose journey is affected and grateful to passengers for their patience and understanding.”

A spokesperson for the train operators said: “We’ve worked closely together and with Network Rail to keep our customers moving and minimise disruption wherever possible. We encourage customers to plan ahead and check their journey before travelling so they can choose the option that best suits them.”

Passengers are strongly urged to check their train operator’s website and social media for the latest travel advice.

Lift refurbishment at London St Pancras means there is currently no step-free access to or from the Thameslink platforms at London St Pancras. Click here for further information and alternative routes for those requiring step-free access.

Notes to Editors

*Full travel details:

Grand Central: Saturday – The 17.32 Sunderland to London King’s Cross will not run.

Sunday – No Grand Central service will operate.

Monday – The 07.48 London King’s Cross to Sunderland will not run. The following trains will operate additionally:

• 16.56 Bradford Interchange to London King’s Cross
• 21.15 London King’s Cross to York

Great Northern/Thameslink: From approximately 22.00 on Saturday evening, all day Sunday, and until approximately 08.00 Monday morning, no trains will run between Potters Bar/Hertford North and Royston/Peterborough.

A revised train service will run between:

• Royston and Cambridge/Kings Lynn
• Moorgate and Hertford North/Potters Bar
• London King’s Cross and Potters Bar
• Brighton and Finsbury Park
• Horsham and London Bridge/Finsbury Park (Saturday evening/Monday morning only)

Replacement buses will run between:

• Hitchin and Peterborough, calling at all stations
• Bedford and Peterborough, calling at St Neots and Huntingdon
• Hitchin and Royston
• Luton Airport Parkway and Stevenage via Hitchin
• St Albans City and Stevenage calling at Hatfield, Welwyn Garden City, Welwyn North and Knebworth
• Hertford North and Stevenage, calling at Watton-at-Stone
• Potters Bar and Hitchin, calling at all stations (Saturday evening/all day Sunday only)
• Potters Bar and Welwyn Garden City, calling at all stations (Monday morning only)

Hull Trains: Unaffected by engineering work on Saturday.

Sunday - A reduced service will run to/from London St Pancras. As a result, trains will not call at Beverley/Cottingham/Doncaster/Retford/Grantham or Stevenage.

Monday – The 07.18 service from London King’s Cross to Hull will depart later at 07.25 and will arrive in Hull at 10.22.

LNER: A revised timetable will operate, with trains starting/terminating at Peterborough. A bus service will run between Peterborough and Bedford, for connections into/out of London St Pancras. This will also impact late Saturday evening, and early Monday morning.

On Sunday only, a limited LNER service (two trains in each direction) will also operate between Newcastle and Bedford, via Doncaster, also connecting with Thameslink services to/from London St Pancras.

The 08.26 and 12.27 departures from Newcastle, calling at Durham, Darlington, Northallerton, York and Doncaster will head direct to Bedford, returning from Bedford to Newcastle at 12.49 and 16.57.

Customers travelling to/from stations on the LNER route in Scotland, the North East, North and West Yorkshire to/from central London on this date are advised to avoid travel via Sheffield and Chesterfield, as CrossCountry and East Midlands Railway services on this route will be extremely busy.

Lumo: Saturday – The 17.21 Edinburgh to London King’s Cross service will not run.

Sunday – A reduced/amended service will operate between Newcastle and Edinburgh/Glasgow Queen Street.

Monday – The 05.45 departure from London King’s Cross will start from Newcastle. The 06.26 departure from Edinburgh will terminate at Newcastle.