The East Coast Digital Programme is underway to create the first digital intercity railways in the country with essential work continuing during the August Bank Holiday weekend, meaning that services will see disruption.
Network Rail and Great Northern are advising passengers planning to use the railway between Finsbury Park and Moorgate to check before travelling, as both stations will be closed.
Saturday the 28th, Sunday the 29th and Monday the 30th of August will see Finsbury Park and Moorgate closed with no trains available in the area with services diverted to London King's Cross.
The same Great Northern service changes will also be in place on:
- Saturday the 21st and Sunday the 22nd of August
- Saturday the 4th and Sunday the 5th of September
- Saturday the 2nd and Sunday the 3rd of October
The essential work taking place during this time will feature upgrades to the track and signalling systems as part of the latest phase of the East Coast Digital Programme which involves fitting trains with the most up to date in-cab signalling tech and also removing old line-side signals.
The impressive scheme, once complete, will mean that signallers can keep continuous communication with trains rather than at fixed signal points providing real time responses, which in turn will create benefits to passengers in the form of reduced delays and notably improving performance.
The programme is expected to be complete with the full line being digitally signalled by 2023, although benefits are expected to be seen as soon as summer 2022 on journeys into the City of London.
Network Rail has planned work taking place during the bank holiday weekend very carefully and has a huge 95% of the UK network open for business as usual allowing passengers to get out and about, reconnecting with family and friends and visiting their favourite holiday locations.
Toufic Machnouk, Network Rail's Director, Industry Partnership Digital, said: “Our teams continue to work to deliver the East Coast Digital Programme with key work to track and signalling currently taking place.
“This work will bring more reliable journeys for passengers by next Summer and help us to fully digitally signal the line in 2023, which will reduce delays and improve performance.
“We're sorry for any disruption this causes for travellers and we'd urge all those planning on using this route to plan ahead via National Rail Enquiries or with Great Northern. We'd like to thank all those impacted for their patience and we look forward to them reaping the benefits of this work in years to come.”
Jenny Saunders, Customer Services Director for Thameslink and Great Northern, said: “Network Rail have worked hard with us to make sure our customers can get where they need to be over the Bank Holiday. Tickets can be used on London Bus and Tube services between Finsbury Park or King's Cross and Moorgate. Please check before you travel and be aware there may be short-notice changes due to the ongoing impact of Covid-19.”
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