The work will commence later this month and will see track upgraded and signalling for the Northern City Line prepared to become digitally signalled by 2023.
Over the next two weekends, work will be carried out to install signalling equipment which will allow signallers to communicate with the latest in-cab technology on trains.
As part of the East Coast Digital Programme, the new signalling will not only bring more reliable services but will also see a reduction in delays. The Northern City Line is expected to be completely digitally signalled by 2023, with passengers benefiting from more reliable journeys into the City of London as soon as summer 2022.
Network Rail has also revealed that further work for this phase will be carried out during the Christmas period, starting after the last service on Christmas Eve and will be ongoing until before the first service on Wednesday the 29th of December.
Network Rail teams will be working through Christmas to see the essential work carried out. As no timetabled train services operate on Christmas Day or Boxing Day on this part of the railway, Network Rail are using this opportunity to get ahead with the project whilst disruption is not an issue.
The run-up to the Christmas period will see changes to services due to the complex nature of the work being carried out and will mean the section of line between Finsbury Park and Moorgate will be closed with trains diverted to London King's Cross over the following dates:
Due to the complexity of this work, there will be some changes to services in the run-up to Christmas and over the festive period. For these vital improvements to take place safely, the section of the line between Finsbury Park and Moorgate will be closed and trains will divert into King's Cross on the following dates:
- Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th November
- Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th December
- Monday 27th and Tuesday 28th December
When trains are diverted to London King's Cross passengers can use their tickets on London Bus Route 271 or on the London Underground between London King's Cross and London St. Pancras International and Moorgate.
Passengers are advised to plan their journeys ahead allowing for plenty of time
To find out how journeys could be affected check with either Great Northern or National Rail Enquiries.
Toufic Machnouk, Network Rail's Director, Industry Partnership Digital, said:
“We're continuing to make progress on the Northern City Line and the work over Christmas will be an important step towards bringing a more modern, reliable railway for passengers.
“We want to thank passengers for their continued patience. Trains are being diverted to keep people moving and we advise passengers to check their journey and allow extra time.”
Jenny Saunders, Customer Services Director for Thameslink and Great Northern, said:
“We're delighted with this investment to replace the ageing signalling system on our popular route into the City of London with the latest in cutting-edge digital technology.
“Closing the line for vital work such as this is never an easy decision but with trains diverted into King's Cross, passengers will still be able to reach Moorgate, using their tickets on the Tube or 271 bus.”
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The Northern City Line is a very busy line with Great Northern trains operating between Moorgate-Stevenage, Welwyn Garden City and Hertford North via Finsbury Park and is going digital is a brilliant achievement.