Further digital signalling progress will be among various planned railway upgrades taking place over four consecutive weekends – affecting passenger journeys south of Peterborough towards London.
The engineering work from 31 January will deliver a range of improvements – including construction 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 work taking place over the four weekends will include:
- Track renewal at Finsbury Park, St Neots, Sandy station 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 train services 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.
On 15 February only there will be no trains between:
- Peterborough and London.
- Potters Bar and St Neots/Letchworth Garden City.
- Moorgate and Finsbury Park.
- Stevenage and Hertford North.
Rail replacement services will operate between Peterborough and Bedford. Thameslink and Great Northern will have various rail replacement bus services in place.
On 21-22 February there will be no train services between London and Peterborough/Royston, and no trains to Stevenage via Hertford North, with rail replacement bus services in place between Peterborough and Bedford. Thameslink and Great Northern will have various rail replacement bus services in place.
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 the train operating companies added: “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.”
Image credit: Network Rail
